The Overlooked Challenge: Why Senior Pets Need Our Help

Older pets, typically those over seven years old, often spend the longest time in shelters, waiting for a forever home. Many of these senior dogs and cats face unique health challenges that make their stay even more difficult.

The Problem of Kibble for Aging Companions

Traditional dry kibble, the standard fare in many shelters, can present several issues for aging animals:

• Dental Difficulties: Years of wear, decay or lack of dental care can make chewing hard kibble painful.
• Digestive Strain: Aging digestive systems often struggle to break down highly processed ingredients.
• Hydration Needs: Senior pets require higher moisture content in their food to stay properly hydrated, which kibble lacks.
• Medication Administration: Fresh, soft food provides an easier and more palatable way to administer medication.

Shelter staff consistently observe that switching to fresh, soft meals dramatically improves the energy, mood, and sociability of older pets. However, the high cost of fresh food makes it a luxury most shelters cannot afford.

A Hands-On Solution: The Food Rescue Workshop

The workshop guided volunteers through the entire process of creating fresh pet food from rescued ingredients.

Step 1: Ingredient Inspection

Volunteers inspected surplus ingredients from local suppliers, learning to check meat freshness, prepare vegetables for optimal nutrition, and understand pet food safety standards.

Step 2: Preparation & Mixing

With guidance from the Furry Green team, volunteers helped chop, prepare, and mix the fresh meat and veggies into a balanced blend ready for conditioning.

Step 3: Portion Control

Accuracy is essential. Participants learned the importance of portion control by weighing each ingredient to ensure balanced meals for every animal

Step 4: Packaging
and Refrigeration

The final step involved packaging meals for sous vide cooking and refrigeration, ensuring the food remains fresh and safe for delivery to the shelters

The Delicious Results: 26kg of Hope and an Ongoing Commitment

The workshop successfully produced 26 kilograms of fresh pet food—enough to provide nourishing meals for approximately 40 senior shelter animals for 2 days. But the impact didn't stop there.

Ongoing Commitment: 84kg Donation

EK International purchases 42 kilograms of fresh pet food for local shelters. To amplify this effort, Furry Green will match the donation with an additional 42 kilograms. This totals 84 kilograms of pet food for shelters. This contribution provides approximately 280 meals, significantly improving animal welfare in the community.

The Ripple Effect: Impact on Shelter Animals

Shelter coordinators consistently report remarkable improvements in senior pets that receive fresh food:

• Increased Appetite: The palatability of fresh food encourages even picky eaters.
• Better Hydration: The high moisture content aids kidney function and overall hydration.
• Improved Digestion: Gentle, natural ingredients lead to fewer stomach issues.
• Happier Animals: A good meal makes a world of difference, improving mood and sociability, which can in turn boost adoption rates.

Building More Than Meals: Community and Corporate Responsibility

The EK Immigration workshop is a powerful example of how corporate social responsibility (CSR) can forge stronger team bonds while addressing critical community needs. Participants collaborated, learned new skills, and left with a shared sense of accomplishment and purpose.

This sustainable model provides multiple benefits:

• Environmental: Reduces food waste by giving surplus ingredients a purpose.
• Social: Nourishes the most vulnerable animals in our community.
• Educational: Informs participants about pet nutrition and food sustainability.
• Economic: Offers cost-effective, high-value nutritional solutions for shelters.