As an animal lover, Elizabeth Wigton wanted to help out people who were having trouble dealing with the expenses that come with owning pets. And she wanted to help their furry friends, too.
She was also looking for a worthy Gold Award project to complete as an Ambassador Scout for Plainfield Girl Scout Troop 70785 last spring. She’s been participating in the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana since she was little.
So Wigton hit on the idea of an outdoor pet food pantry. She researched which animal shelters would be open to the idea and found out both South Suburban Humane Society in Matteson and Kendall County Animal Control were interested.
They are among area shelters that have seen an increase in surrendered pets because people are struggling to afford the rising costs of veterinary care and supplies, as well as their own cost of living expenses, according to numerous shelter officials.
“I’ve always loved animals, and one of the biggest things I’ve heard is that people have to give up their pets to the shelters because they don’t have enough supplies or money to buy supplies,” said Wigton, now a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. “So I decided that since of course there are so many food pantries for humans, why not make ones for pets.”
Wigton got to work organizing construction of the pantries at the two shelters with the help of a family friend who is a carpenter. Her parents, Jeff and Aimee Wigton, of Plainfield, were a big help, too.
Once complete, they transported the pantries to Matteson and Kendall County, coming back to touch up the paint job and stock them with supplies. Wigton has a dog and cat, as well as two Hermit crabs at home, which are among the reasons she’s in touch with pets and their needs.
“It’s mostly cat and dog supplies, like food, but people can donate whatever they want,” said Wigton. “I’ve seen stuff for smaller animals, like ferrets.”
Mika Carten, director of Impact and Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion at South Suburban Humane Society, said the shelter was excited to have the pantry for all the pet owners in need. She said it has turned out to be an “incredible resource.”
“It’s given us more opportunities to engage with the members of our community about the pet resources we provide through our facility to help keep pets in their homes,” Carten said. “There’s also been a big increase in pet food donations from folks who want to give back to their community, and the visible pantry right outside our Adoptions door has been a huge part of that.
“We cannot thank Elizabeth enough for her contribution.”
The shelter also has a Community Care Fund that offers financial aid for veterinary and emergency services for pet owners who qualify. Low-cost veterinary services are also available.
But Wigton isn’t done helping out animals. She’s planning to major in animal science at university with a pre-vet emphasis.
“I’ve always loved animals,” she said.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.