Waarom we niet alleen dieren voeren, maar gezinnen bij elkaar houden

When you think of an animal food bank, you probably immediately think of bags of chunks and cans of wet food. And while filling the feeders is our daily mission, our work at Diervoodbank Vallei & Veluwe is about something much bigger. When you decide to support our animal food bank, you are not just saving an animal from hunger; you are insuring that a family is not pulled apart in times of poverty. 

The importance of pets in isolation

For people living in poverty or in social isolation, a pet is often the main stay. Figures from the Health Council and psychological research, among others, show that more than 70% of pet owners regard their animal as a full-fledged family member that offers unconditional support.
The data behind the mental health benefits doesn’t lie:

• Stress reduction: Petting a dog or cat demonstrably reduces the cortisol level (stress hormone) in the blood within 10 to 15 minutes.
• Antidepressant effect: Interaction with a pet stimulates the production of oxytocin and dopamine (happiness hormones), which strongly counteracts depressive feelings and loneliness.
• Structure and meaning: For people without work or daytime activities, an animal offers a crucial reason to get up in the morning.

The harsh reality of poverty and pets

It is a heartbreaking scenario: due to bad luck, illness or inflation, you suddenly can no longer afford the pieces for your loyal friend. Research into poverty shows that people in financial need go to great lengths: many skip meals themselves to feed their pets. The constant fear of having to give up your pet to the shelter due to a lack of money causes gigantic, chronic psychological stress.

That is the point where we intervene. By offering feed packages every week, we remove that heavy load. Peace immediately raises again in the house and in the owner’s head.

Help protect families

With your donation you donate much more than just food. You grant mental stability, dignity and the preservation of that crucial friendship between humans and animals. Will you help us keep these families together? Click here for more information on how to help.