Dog Scouts ensure that seniors’ beloved pets aren’t forgotten

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Vicki Martin of Aurora visits with her dog Allie while collecting donations with the Dog Scouts of America club Sunday at the Pet Supplies Plus store in North Aurora. | Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Updated: January 2, 2012 8:16AM

Like most scout leaders, Karen Reeves is working with her scouts to make sure the spirit of giving will result in additional badges for their sashes. The difference, though, is that her scouts have four legs.

Dog Scouts of America, Troop 208, is beginning their second annual holiday pet food and donation drive. The Dog Scouts troop received enough donations last years to create 412 stockings of pet food and toys that were distributed to seniors who have pets and are part of the Meals on Wheels program.

This year Reeves said the goal is to double that amount.

Donations of pet food and toys can be made at the Pet Supplies Plus stores on Randall Road in North Aurora and in Villa Park. All the donations will be used for the pet-stocking program. Both dog and cat stockings will be completed. Each stocking will contain food, treats and toys.

“Many times seniors share their food with their pet, then they don’t receive the full nutritional value of the meal,” Reeves said.

She says many seniors are very reliant on their pets and find them very important for their well-being.

“It is their only companion. They are something to look over and take care of, it gives many seniors a feeling of purpose,” she said of having a pet.

The troop has grown to 19 members this year, with some 23 dogs. The dogs work on various projects and earn badges, just like in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts organizations. The badges are sown onto sashes so that the pets can proudly display their accomplishments at troop meetings.

The Meals on Wheels delivery volunteers compile the names of the seniors who have pets as they make their regular stops.

“When they see a pet at the home of the senior, that is then added to the list,” Reeves said.

Reeves said the dog-scouting program is looking to establish the program throughout the year.

“Many times seniors can’t get out to get the food or have financial problems,” she said.

And many shelters are overwhelmed with the tremendous addition of animals over the past few years, she said.

The food and toy drive is going on until Christmas, and donations can be made at the Pet Supplies Plus stores at 180 N. Randall Road in North Aurora or at 270 W. North Ave. in Villa Park.

To learn more about local organizations, visit dogscouts.org/.