Surrendered senior dog inspires woman to open a free pet pantry

WHITEWATER, Wis. (WMTV/Gray News) - A dog that was surrendered last year inspired a woman to open a pet pantry to help Wisconsin pet owners in need.

Eight-year-old dog Clyde was brought to Albert’s Dog Lounge last summer with infections, almost no fur and in desperate need of medication.

“Clyde had a family that loved and actually cared for him very much,” said Mandy Lewis, founder of Albert’s Dog Lounge. “The issue was they had little resources within the community and so they knew that they needed help with the medications and all the things that he needed to be healthy. And so, they chose to surrender him.”

Lewis said many pet owners have to make the difficult decision to surrender a pet if they can no longer care for it.

“There’s a gap in the community where people aren’t able to get maybe cat litter or pet dishes, new leashes, new collars, things that help a pet have quality of life,” she said.

Lewis adopted Clyde and on Monday, she opened Clyde’s Closet using the organization’s excess donations and supplies.

Clyde’s Closet has supplies available to all pet owners who need a helping hand.

Lewis hopes the pet pantry keeps humans and their companions together.

“We were inspired by Clyde to do something more for our community,” she said. “And really by the influx of support that we receive as a rescue. So, we are very graciously blessed with so many donations. And we like to share those donations and pay it forward within the community.”