Our Story

In February of 2014, I came across a tiny Shih-Tzu puppy by chance on Craigslist. That puppy changed my life.

As soon as I saw those eyes, I knew I had to help him. I drove over 5 hours to pick him up in Lenoir, North Carolina, and the moment the lady pulled him out of her jacket pocket (he weighed a whopping 2.3 pounds), my heart belonged to him. I named him Tiddlywinks and he and I would be inseparable for the next nine and a half years. I knew from the beginning that I would do anything in the world for Tiddlywinks to ensure he had everything he needed, and it killed me to know that there were others out there who felt the same way about their own pets, but risked losing them just because money was an issue. In February 2022, I registered The Pet Pantry as a non-profit corporation in the state of Tennessee. I had the idea and this overwhelming desire to help, but I thought I needed to wait to really do anything until I had enough of my own money put aside to invest in the start-up costs of a new non-profit. Time continued to pass, but the concept was always in the back of my mind.

 I lost Tiddlywinks unexpectedly in July 2023. I can say with all honesty that it was the hardest, most traumatic day of my life. I lost a piece of my soul that day. I was overwhelmed with grief for months, but I knew two things: (1) I wanted to keep Tiddlywinks’ memory alive; and (2) I still wanted to help people take care of their beloved pets, perhaps now more than ever. And thus, The Pet Pantry was reborn. In honor of Tiddlywinks, I want The Pet Pantry to provide food assistance to as many pets as possible. And one day soon, I would like to add Tiddlywinks’ name to the organization somehow.

Because love for our pets transcends hardships. And E-FURRY-BODY deserves a full belly.