John DeCando, the chief animal control officer in Paterson, knows there are people who can’t afford food, let alone a gift, for their dog or cat.
So, DeCando has coordinated an annual drive to provide free wrapped gift boxes filled with dog or cat food, treats and toys.
“Last year, it was raining and people still got in line to get their gift boxes. We gave out 400 boxes,” he said.
This year, DeCando has 500 wrapped gift boxes to give out.
“These are people who can’t make ends meet, and my heart goes out to each and every one of them. Their pets are like their family,” he said.
While he hasn’t set a date for pickup, DeCando is asking people to call his office and get on his list.
Priority is given to city residents. Anyone who receives Meals on Wheels food delivery is automatically put on the list.
When the boxes are ready, DeCando will let everyone know the pickup date.
“It’s a good feeling. All you have to do is look at people’s faces and you know they are grateful for what is inside these boxes,” DeCando said.
DeCando began the gift box giveaway program eight years ago after seeing the need.
“Some of these people have nothing. They come down to turn in their animals because they can’t afford to keep and feed them. But we have people who can help them,” DeCando said.
He gets money and gift box item donations from different organizations like Hartz Mountain Industries, Vitaquest, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Chatham Township, J-B Pet Supply in Hawthorne and Mike’s Feed Farm in Riverdale.
Each box is packed by DeCando, who selects the food and the toys that will go inside.
“I stuff each and every box myself, and believe me, I make sure they are stuffed,” he said. “Then I go back and wrap them, on my own time.”
Sometimes DeCando works on the boxes until 1 a.m. packing and wrapping.
He’s been packing since Nov. 13, and many boxes still need to be packed and wrapped.
Each box includes a 6-pound bag of dog or cat food, cans of wet food, tennis balls and small toys. The contents of each box are valued at $75 to $80, he said.
“I have always loved animals,” said DeCando, who has been with animal control for 53 years. “Just knowing how good it feels to do this is reward in itself.
DeCando has one Christmas wish of his own.
“I’d like to see every town in New Jersey do this same project,” he said. “I don’t care who gets the credit. It’s about the animals.”
Anyone who wants to get on the list can call the Paterson Animal Control office at 973-881-3640 with their information.
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