Martha, the Norwich Price Chopper Assistant Front End Manager, and Ryan, a Norwich Price Chopper Cashier, with All Animals Matter Founder Diane Troxell after a successful pet food drive held in honor of National Pet Month. The food drive ran from April 1 to 30 and collected 250 cans of pet food, 100 pounds of dry dog food, 100 pounds of dry cat food, 50 pounds of cat litter, plus lots of pet treats and toys. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — The Norwich Price Chopper celebrated National Pet Month in April with a pet food drive to benefit Oxford-based 501c3 nonprofit All Animals Matter (AAM).

The food drive ran from April 1 to 30, and in total collected 250 cans of pet food, 100 pounds of dry dog food, 100 pounds of dry cat food, 50 pounds of cat litter, plus lots of pet treats and toys.

AAM Founder Diane Troxell said Price Chopper has held this same pet food drive in past years, but they've never seen a collection as substantial as this. Troxell credits a Price Chopper employee who visited the Sidney Price Chopper and saw how they promoted their own pet food drive.

"Many of the employees' pets have been helped by AAM in the past with spaying and neutering of dogs and cats and emergency medical issues, by us assisting in the cost. In the past, the pet food drive has been very slow and disappointing for both Price Chopper and AAM," said Troxell.

"But this year, after one of the Price Chopper employees was over at the Price Chopper in Sidney, the manager decided to do what they were doing, which was putting some samples of pet food and kitty litter and pet toys and treats near the cash register so that customers don't have to go to the pet aisle of the store and can quickly buy something to support this cause, just like Price Chopper in Sidney," she continued. "Of course, the wonderful cashiers at Price Chopper in Norwich really promoted All Animals Matter to the customers, which was great."

She said this change was introduced about two weeks into the food drive and had a significant impact: most of the food, litter, and toys were donated after products were moved to the registers.

"All Animals Matter is very grateful for Price Chopper in Norwich, and of course the customers who purchased and supported this cause," said Troxell. "We often have requests for pet food, especially since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Thank you, thank you!"

All of the food collected during this year's pet food drive will go to the All Animals Matter pet food bank. Those in need of dog or cat food can contact Troxell at 607-435-7788 or allanimalsmatterinc@gmail.com.

She said food can be picked up at the AAM facility, located at 65 North Washington Avenue in Oxford, or they can deliver if needed. There are no income guidelines or requirements to take food.

Although the pet food drive has ended, AAM is always accepting donations. Monetary donations can be mailed to All Animals Matter, Inc., PO Box 369, Oxford, NY 13830. Those who would like to donate food, litter, treats, toys, or even used equipment such as pet carriers can do so by dropping them off at the Oxford AAM facility, and contacting Troxell to let her know the items are there.

All Animals Matter was founded in 2010, and is dedicated to helping all animals. The main mission of AAM is to assist pet owners in the cost of spaying and neutering dogs and cats in Chenango and Delaware Counties. In 2022, AAM assisted in the spaying and neutering of nearly 900 cats and over 200 dogs.

More information on All Animals Matter can be found at AllAnimalsMatterInc.com and on the All Animals Matter, Inc. Facebook page.