Better Neighbor Project Provides Pet Food and Services to Hundreds of Watts Residents
Michelson Found Animals Foundation’s (MFA) Better Neighbor Project (BNP) hosted a free Pet Wellness Day on October 23 in Watts, California. This event provided much needed food and wellness services to help families and their pets in the community stay together. Services included a Pet Food Pantry, vaccines, microchips, flea treatment, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, nail trimming, pet resources, and various supplies.
The event was co-hosted by the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for South Los Angeles residents.
In total, 143 families were served, 245 pets received hygiene and wellness services, over 20 pets were spayed/neutered, and food for 400 pets was distributed.
Other organizations on-site included Downtown Dog Rescue, Little Lion Foundation, SNPLA, and SPAY4LA, all coming together to help the community of Watts by offering a variety of services at no cost.
“This event was incredibly needed during this time when many individuals are struggling financially due to the pandemic.”
—Vania Campos
“This event was incredibly needed during this time when many individuals are struggling financially due to the pandemic,” said Vania Campos, Marketing Administrative Assistant at Michelson Philanthropies, who attended the event. “Even though it was a rainy day, so many families came to get their pets the care they needed and it was wonderful to see how excited and grateful everyone was for these services. The whole event was very well organized and staff and volunteers alike were so excited to be there. They handled the crowd and rain amazingly well.”
In May 2020, MFA launched BNP which partners with human service organizations to deliver food and resources directly to families and pets in need.
The next Better Neighbor Project event will be held on December 11 at Homeboy Industries. Learn more at betterneighborla.org.
MFA is a division of Michelson Philanthropies, a network of private operating foundations that creates transformative opportunities, makes positive impact investments, and fosters strategic partnerships supporting vulnerable or underserved communities. Reflecting the passions and interests of Dr. Gary K. Michelson and his wife, Alya Michelson, Michelson Philanthropies catalyzes sustainable, scalable, replicable solutions to a host of challenges facing society.
