Owen And Daisy

Talk about the gift that keeps on giving. Last year for his eighth birthday, Charlestown resident Owen Krueger adopted a kitten from the Richmond Animal Shelter. The Krueger family already had several dogs and cats but a special bond developed between Owen and Daisy.

Today their love - Owen calls Daisy his ‘daughter’ - is helping, in a small but meaningful way, to feed other pets. Owen recently donated money he saved to

Young Body, Old Soul

“We have to give money to Daisy’s first home because there will be other Daisies,” Owen told his Mom shortly after bringing the kitten home from the shelter. “I love all animals” and want them “to have a nice home,” Owen explained in an interview this week with South Kingstown Patch.

“He’s a kind boy who doesn’t think of himself. He thinks of other people,” said Owen’s mother Samantha about her son who is living with a form of autism known as Pervasive Developmental Disorder. “I tell Owen that ‘autism’ is just a word to explain some of his quirks,” she chuckled.

“I have a large family,” continued Mrs. Krueger, and Owen never misses an opportunity to pass the jar at holidays, birthdays, and family get-togethers. People happily donate to Owen’s cause but he is quick to let them know that “paper is better” when they start to drop coins into the jar, she said with a laugh.

Owen also donates money he earns himself. “I’m looking at the jar now,” said Mrs. Krueger when we spoke by phone last week, “and it’s probably got three dollars in it” - seed money for Owen’s next donation to the pet pantry. 

Build It And They Will Come...Year Round

Named in honor of Maggie, Carol Terranova’s yellow Labrador retriever, Maggie’s Pet Pantry has been operating out of a loaner shed since late winter. Terranova has worked tirelessly since then, not only to collect donated food for pets in need, but also to raise funds to build a permanent home for the pet pantry so operations can continue year-round.

With that goal in mind, Maggie’s Pet Pantry last month held a which generated some $500 for building materials. Construction of a permanent home for the pet pantry will begin next week, thanks to a delivery of framing lumber that arrived on Thursday.

“I’m just so happy there are kids out there like Owen and Reese,” said Terranova, referring to a young girl who recently asked friends to donate pet items to Maggie’s Pet Pantry in lieu of birthday gifts for herself. These children, Terranova continued, “are thinking of others less fortunate. I will say ‘thank you again’ on behalf of the animals.”

 Maggie’s Pet Pantry provides free food, without fanfare or paperwork, to any Rhode Island residents who need assistance feeding their pets. Hours of operation are Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

If you would like to donate pet food (or cash for materials to help finish the pet pantry building) to Maggie’s Pet Pantry, please call Carol Terranova at 401-539-3122 (home) or 401-741-1596 (cell phone). Or email maggieprov129@cox.net.