Marrs-Meyer Auxiliary kicks off Vets Need Pets Project

By Kelly White

Marrs-Meyer American Legion Auxiliary Unit 991 has partnered with the Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare League to provide pets to Worth Village resident veterans at no cost.

Located at 11001 S. Depot St, Worth, this is the first time the legion has hosted the Vets Need Pets Project.

“We believe that many different types of support are needed for all veterans,” Bethanne Lode, Secretary and Treasurer of the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Auxiliary Unit 991, said. “This is just another creative way we are trying to support the veterans in our local communities.”

Through the project, any veteran residing within the Village of Worth who is interested in adopting a shelter pet through this program must apply for a pet adoption at the Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare League, 10305 Southwest Hwy, Chicago Ridge.

Once the veteran has chosen their new best friend and have been approved by the shelter, the legion’s Auxiliary Unit will pay the Welfare League directly for the pet adoption.

“Currently, we have not been contacted by any veterans wishing to adopt and we are seeking and actively pursuing getting the word out in any way possible so that veterans know that this is available to them,” Lode said.

This is the first time the Auxiliary has hosted this program and organizers are hoping to continue it on in the future.

Lode explained there are several reasons why a pet can be beneficial to our nation’s heroes.

“We always see a need for veterans of all ages to have a pet,” Lode said. “The animals assist in loneliness that accompanies being an elderly veteran living alone. In the younger combat veterans, we find that short of being a medically trained companion animal, simply having a pet gives much needed comfort for veterans that are dealing with PTSD and re-acclimation to society in the norm.”

Auxiliary members noticed that some animal shelters sometimes offer a discounted rate to veterans, and they thought they would try a different approach.

“After many months of discussion, we came up with and agreed upon this one-year program and assigned a certain amount of funding for the 2023 trial year to provide pets at no cost to the veteran for the adoption process,” Lode said.

Funding for the project was provided by monies earned during the legion’s annual Poppy Day fundraiser held each May on the Thursday prior to Memorial Day.

“The funds collected on the streets within the Village of Worth by our great volunteers, along with the business donation support can only be used for veterans needs and assistance,” Lode said.

At this time, the auxiliary’s current funding can help assist up to five veterans with pet adoptions. Veterans interested in adopting a pet can contact the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Auxiliary Unit 991.

The project will be available through December 31, 2023, or until funding is depleted. However, donations are also being accepted to provide pets to even more veterans.

Checks may be made payable to Marrs-Meyer Auxiliary 991 and mailed to the post home ATTN: Vets Need Pets – 11001 S. Depot St. – Worth IL 60482.

“We are always grateful to accept the public’s support for our projects and any donation is always deeply appreciated,” Lode said.