Valley Stream’s Paw it Forward seeking pet food, supply donations for Covid-19 relief

Paw it Forward, a Valley Stream-based, non-profit backed pet pantry organization is seeking animal food donations to help feed the pets of owners who have been affected during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Paw it Forward accepts cat and dog food, wet or dry, as well as cat litter and pet supplies such as carrying crates and pet beds, according Danielle Scala-Nathan, who founded the organization along with her husband Rob Nathan. Items can be dropped off at their home at 114 Clarendon Drive. Paw it Forward does not take monetary donations. 

The organization seeks to help feed the pets of anyone living in Valley Stream and the neighboring communities, however, as the outbreak sickens people and ravages the economy, Scala said the need is most acute among pet owners who have been laid off due to virus’ impact as well as foster-based rescues in Valley Stream. Foster-based rescues are homes that temporarily care for pets while they await adoption. 

Additionally, In recent weeks, Scala said the organization has also provided food for the pets of residents living at the Monica Village senior apartments, and she encouraged anyone struggling to feed or care for their pets to contact her. 

Due to disruptions brought by the virus, however, the pantry’s stockpile has been running low.

“We’re running out of donations,” Scala said, noting that Paw it Forward typically receives most of its food and supplies from donations from pet stores and drop-off boxes located in businesses around the neighborhood, all of which have been either shuttered or operating on a limited basis.

Still, she said, the donations have been trickling in. 

“Every day is a process,” she said. “People have been coming in and dropping off. We’ve been working together to get through this.”