A Kingston-based initiative is helping support unhoused individuals and their pets by providing essential animal care supplies to people living in shelters and encampments.
Wendel’s Warm Paws, organized by Tanya Heasman, collects and distributes donations including pet food, blankets, coats, bowls and other supplies for dogs and cats belonging to members of the city’s unhoused community.
Heasman says the initiative was created to help ensure vulnerable residents are still able to care for their pets during difficult circumstances. Donation support for the initiative continues year-round, with collection boxes available at Ren’s Pets in Kingston’s RioCan Centre.
Heasman also spoke about witnessing the growing need for support in the community following local hub closures, calling the outreach efforts both “heartwarming and heartbreaking.”
Listen to our full podcast interview with Tanya Heasman to hear more about the inspiration behind Wendel’s Warm Paws and the impact the initiative is having across Kingston.
