JACKSON, Wyo. — Over the last year, Pet Place Plus (PPP) has partnered with community organizations that have helped make a difference in the pet community in Jackson. With these partners, PPP has been able to establish or continue several programs to benefit pet owners in our community.
The Leash ProgramÂ
Pet Place Plus has utilized their Leash Program to provide hundreds of free leashes at popular trailheads and pathways in the last year. Prior to 2020, the Leash Program made dog leashes available for community use at many local businesses and bank lobbies.
However, when the pandemic struck, bank lobbies were either temporarily shut down or less frequented by customers, and many businesses decided to go curbside only. There was also an increase in local pet adoptions and new pets as people and families had more time at home. In addition, trail and pathway use increased as more people recreated outdoors to avoid being cooped up at home.
“Our popular winter recreation areas near town have remained very busy throughout the winter. Some of these areas have mandatory Dog Leash Zones and Pet Place Plus has generously been supplying the Jackson Ranger district with free leashes that continue to be utilized by many members of the public in these areas,” said David Wilkinson, Recreation Technician with The US Forest Service at the Jackson Ranger District. “Having these leashes available at the winter trailheads really helps us with better compliance throughout the winter season.”
Last Spring, Jess Farr, Program Director at PAWS of Jackson Hole, proposed the idea of leashes at pathway trailheads. PPP worked with community partners such as The US Forest Service, Friends of Pathways, & Teton Backcountry Alliance to strategically plan leash locations for the community’s convenience.
Ambassadors and volunteers are to thank for this initiative since they have been placing and refilling the locations where leashes are hung as well as handing out leashes on pathways. Pet Place Plus thanks the following volunteers and ambassadors: Jane Frisch, Chris Owen, Mike Piker, Nancy Leon, Joan Crittenden, Olivia Meigs, Susan Critzer, Ruthie Peters, Lisa Finkelstein, Elsa Rosenkrantz, Priscilla Sorensen, Espe Herrada, Cynthia Wiley, Len Carlman, & Jay Pistono.
The COVID Pet Food Bank
In addition to the Leash Program, PPP established a Pet Food Bank last year. The goal of the COVID Pet Food Bank is to help individuals maintain a food supply for their pets during financial hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic. To date, The COVID Pet Food Bank has successfully provided over five tons of food to those in need. The PPP store, along with donations from vendors, manufacturers, and customers, has kept the food bank supplied over the past ten months. However, demand for food has increased over the last few months such that PPP is beginning to run low on provisions.
Pet Place Plus is still accepting pet food bank donations. Community members can bring dog and cat food donations to their store located at 1645 Martin Lane where there is a designated shopping cart out front to place the donations. They can also call PPP at 307-733-5355 if they wish to donate by phone. Pet Place Plus will not make any profit on the food purchased for this purpose.
Those in need of pet food can stop by the store during business hours and select pet food from the grocery cart placed outside. Business hours are Mondays to Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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