Animal lovers deliver help, hope

For Robyn Maisch and Kris Bridenstine, the Small Critter Food Exchange network is something of a calling.

The two animal lovers founded the network in November to help keep small pets fed, even if their owners are struggling with money.

“I work for Petco, and my inspiration for this group was seeing lots of small critters coming back,” Maisch said. “People can’t afford to feed them. They have an emotional attachment and have to sever that.”

Maisch’s crusade is even more personal. A dog lover, she found herself laid off from her job with several hungry canines to feed. 

“I was unemployed with four dogs and I was hesitant to even go to the food bank,” she said. “When I did go, they gave these little packets of food, and I thought there’s no way that’s enough.”

Ultimately, Maisch had to give up two of her dogs, although she still gets to visit them at their new owner’s house. She thought no one should lose his or her pet and no animal should be taken from its forever home.

That’s where the Small Critter Food Exchange came from, and now, with more than 100 members, people on hard times all over the valley can get the needs of their pets met.

Bridenstine, co-founder and accountant for the group (which is gunning for a 501(c)3 nonprofit designation), said the group could take burden off shelters.

“If an animal is in the shelter, it has to be fed and taken care of,” she said. “If we can keep them happy and healthy in their forever homes, that’s saving money in the long run.”

The group was founded just before Thanksgiving and initially excluded dogs and cats from the needs list so as not to interfere with the animal shelter or Humane Society getting donations.

“We thought if the cost of food was the only thing keeping these small critters, like hamsters, turtles and lizards, from where they need to be, well then we could do something about that,” Maisch said. “But then we saw the demand for cats and dogs. There is such a need. There are requirements for the food shelter: Your dog must be spayed or neutered and registered. If your dog needs food today, that’s not realistic.”

So the name might now be a misnomer, since pets as small as rats and as large as Clydesdales can be fed if for whatever reason their owners cannot afford the necessities of a happy life.

“Our group is open to anything,” Maisch said. “Flea bombs, kitty litter, even hay.”

The group is on Facebook, and members can post what they need. Maisch and Bridenstine will wait a day or two if it can wait, and if generous members haven’t fulfilled the request, Maisch will spend her own money and sometimes even deliver the supplies herself.

Bridenstine prompted her humble partner into telling a story about one of these deliveries.

“There was a gal in Bigfork who need assistance,” Maisch said. “It was during that big snowstorm, but her service dog needed food. I hiked through four feet of snow to bring her this food.”

Brittany Emens, a pet owner and mother in Kalispell, was one of these who had supplies delivered to her.

“The experience was amazing. Robyn was very friendly and kind,” she said. “She brought kitty litter for my son’s cat.”

Her young son, Blake, needed the kitty litter for his cat Miroku.

The founders of the group tout their organization’s Christian ideals and stress that they don’t judge why a person needs assistance.  

“I’d been asking the Lord to fill my purpose. This fills my purpose,” Maisch said. “It’s just incredible. I’m walking the walk the Lord wants me to walk.”

Whenever they go on a delivery, they not only bring the necessary supplies but a special treat for the animal.

The organization, besides running an online presence, will have a station every Thursday at 4 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Evergreen during that church’s weekly food and clothing bank.

To donate to the group or to participate, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/smallcritterfoodexchangeflatheadvalley.

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.