Services
Started in July of 2020, Furiends is a volunteer-run, non-for-profit pet pantry for the residents of Manhattan and beyond. It is our goal that together we can make sure that every pet in Manhattan and the surrounding communities receives the best possible care and goes to bed at night with a full belly.
We have helped families from all over Illinois, not just our area. We have received donations from all over the country. Clumping kitty litter is our number one most requested item. We network with a lot of other animal related businesses and we all communicate and help each other.
Manhattan is full of people that love animals and watch out for each other's pets. Our neighbors have been incredibly supportive of this little idea I had that has grown over the last 2.5 years.
Since we started, we have helped people over 400 times. We help families take care of their pets when they have no other options. We had a group of local teens build us a little pantry for the front of our house. It gets used a few times each week.
We are gladly accepting donations of all types of pet food and supplies. Donations can be dropped off at any time in the green cart by our front porch. All donations are tax deductible. Check our Facebook page for updates on open pantries (weather permitting). Drop offs/pick-ups may also be arranged by contacting us. Feel free to visit our little pantry in the front of our house at any time.
About the Founder: My name is Kristin Marcheschi and I (along with my husband Rich) started Furiends in June of 2020. I saw the popularity of micro pantries and little libraries for helping people. I thought there might be a need to help the animals of my community. We have lived in Manhattan since 2005 and we truly love what an amazing community Manhattan is. I'm an avid animal rescuer. We currently are the proud parents of a dog, 2 cats, 4 guinea pigs, a parakeet, and a bunny.
If you are interested in donating to the Furiends of Manhattan Pet Pantry, you can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FuriendsofManhattanPetPantry or email furiendsofmanhattan@gmail.com