Student’s project helps people keep their pets

Eryn Phipps, a sophomore at Affton High School and daughter of Tony and Sheri Phipps, who own Maplewood pet supply store Airedale Antics, knew she wanted to do something to help animals when she was given an open project in her English class.

She decided to help out the Bi-State Pet Food Pantry, which helps families keep their pets in emergencies, such as a job loss.

“I’ve always been passionate about helping animals,” she said. “I’ve always had pets, and I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have to give them up because of something I couldn’t help.”

Phipps hosted nail trims on Saturdays at the shop, and collected more than $200 for the organization, and also collected dry pet food donations.

The director of Bi-State Pet Food Pantry, Jacqui Zancanata, accepted the donation on Friday at Airedale Antics.

Zancanata said in 2016, out of 178,000 pounds of food they gave out, 120,000 pounds was dry dog food. We go through 10,000 pounds of dry dog food ever month.

“For us to have a donation of any kind — we can’t afford to buy that much food every month, so any donation of dry food is always greatly appreciated,” Zancanata said.