Kim McCool, left, and Linda Casas help package a bag of cat food for a patron of McAnthony Window in Davenport Nov. 25.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — Fleece blankets, food for cats and dogs and even a few winter coats for pets filled a table Nov. 25 inside the newly renovated Mazzuchelli building at St. Anthony Parish. Members of St. Francis of Assisi Pet Ministry, based at St. John Vianney Parish in Bettendorf, provided these items for patrons of McAnthony Window.
Kim McCool, the pet ministry’s founder and member of St. John Vianney Parish, said that last summer the ministry began promoting a free vaccine clinic for dogs for McAnthony Window patrons. The Humane Society of Scott County and the Quad City Animal Welfare Center provided the free clinic in October. The promotional effort led to the pet ministry’s monthly giving table.
While promoting the vaccine clinic, McCool brought some pet items to hand out. “It was so popular that I got a call from Tina (Wagschal) in the parish office to see if we could come back.” The pet ministry team decided to set up a table of pet items on the fourth Monday of each month — outdoors during good weather and inside the Mazzuchelli center in less ideal weather situations.
Pet items come from a variety of sources. A St. John Vianney parishioner recently lost her pet and “graciously sponsored the giving table for November,” McCool said. Another parishioner donated to the ministry in memory of her sister, a pet lover. Those funds will help expand the outreach ministry, McCool said.
Pet Supplies Plus in Bettendorf has placed item requests on its giving tree to help support the ministry for its December table. Quad City Dog Obedience Club collected pet food for the giving table. Several- dozen fleece blankets were donated for distribution, McCool said. The ministry also distributes individual sealed bags of dry dog and cat food. Several volunteers help with the ministry each month.
Linda Casas of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf has been involved from the beginning but served at the ministry table at St. Anthony’s for the first time in November. “I always wanted to do something like this. Kim had the strength and connections to do this. She is a gift from God … This is for all the fur babies,” Casas said. “It is so beautiful to see the faces and thankfulness of those who stop at the table.”
Volunteers are at the table from 8:30-9:30 a.m. or until items run out. On Nov. 25, McCool and Casas listened to patrons describe their pets and particular needs regarding pet food and treats. The volunteers bagged up items and encouraged patrons to take a fleece blanket for their pet and a vest for larger dogs. Since starting four months ago, volunteers have distributed dry and wet food and treat bags for dogs and for cats, bowls, collars, harnesses, leashes, blankets, dog coats and a pair of dog boots, among other items.
“God keeps opening doors and hearts for our ministry. I’m excited to see where the Holy Spirit guides us next year,” McCool said.
St. Francis of Assisi Pet Ministry is open to people of any parish. To learn more about the ministry or to support the giving table, contact McCool at stfrancisatsjv@gmail.com
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