Pet Food Xpress (PFX)

Pet Food Xpress (PFX) serves the pets of seniors who live in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties and meet specific criteria. Program partners include SENIORS FIRST, Osceola County Council on Aging, and Meals on Wheels, Etc.

Participants for this SPCA program are first approved through our respective program partners. It should be noted, in keeping with our mission, the program is only available to pets that are spayed/neutered. However, with consent from the senior, scholarships are available to perform this surgery on their healthy pets.

Once a month, program volunteers deliver pet food that has been packaged by the SPCA of Central Florida staff and volunteers to the seniors and their pets. All these seniors are on fixed income. Through this program the seniors are able maintain their animal companion in their homes while providing them with proper nutrition and not food scraps. Of course, there is no charge for this pet food delivery.

PFX volunteers often visit with the seniors, giving them much needed company. During these visits, volunteers are able to identify specific needs of the pets that are then followed up on by SPCA of Central Florida staff. The SPCA of Central Florida will provide, free of charge, spay/neuter surgery and basic, but important, annual vaccinations. Other medical needs are provided at low or reduced cost.

Maintaining the health of a pet of a senior is also maintaining the health of the senior. These beloved pets have become the sole companions of many of our community's seniors. As other loved ones are no longer available for companionship, pets become both family and friends. Currently there are more than 200 seniors and more than 225 pets being served through this program.

Recently, the SPCA of Central Florida added an option for the senior to care for his/her pet in the event of their death or should they become incapacitated. Seniors are offered a "Custody Release Form" that will insure the pet will be picked up and not left to languish at home. This permanent custody form is available to the senior as an opportunity to plan for the future of the pet and does require witnesses signatures.

If you know of a senior in need, please remember the first thing is to be approved by one of the program partners listed above. The "Custody Release Form" is available to all seniors.

For information on Pet Food Xpress, contact Helen@OrlandoPets.org or call
407-248-1743 ext 233.

Sponsor the pet(s) of senior citizens in need.