The Lac La Biche Regional Humane Society launched an innovative initiative last year, encouraging residents of the community to donate their Halloween pumpkins to the shelter, thus combining seasonal festivities with a meaningful cause.
The charity has ingeniously repurposed these donated pumpkins, transforming them into nutritious puree for shelter animals, particularly those experiencing digestive issues. This initiative not only provides vital nutrition but also creatively utilizes what would otherwise become waste after Halloween.
MJ Siebold, a representative of the Humane Society, explained that the staff prepares this nourishing puree for both dogs and cats, blending it with a bland gastrointestinal (GI) pet food. Pumpkin puree is favored for its soft texture and high fiber content, which ensures it’s gentle on the sensitive stomachs of the animals.
“It is very high in easily digestible fiber which tends to help them feel full without upsetting their GI tract any further,” Siebold shared with Lakeland This Week, emphasizing the importance of this natural remedy.
Given the inherent stress of shelter life, particularly for newly-introduced animals, digestive upset is a common issue among both dogs and cats. Many of the rescued animals arrive in poor condition, often having scrounged for food in unsanitary environments, which adds to their tummy troubles.
To create the pumpkin puree, Siebold explained that the Humane Society actively seeks volunteers who can help scoop out the insides of the pumpkins and cut them into manageable chunks. Once prepared, the pumpkin is pureed, portioned into snack-sized plastics bags, or frozen in muffin tins for convenient storage in the shelter’s freezer.
These frozen pumpkin puree ‘muffins’ are exceptionally practical, allowing for quick thawing while ensuring zero waste. This efficient system ensures that whenever the shelter has animals in need of easy-to-digest food, the puree can be swiftly utilized. Additionally, Siebold noted that community members can also contribute by chopping, pureeing, or freezing their pumpkins at home before donating them to the shelter.
According to Siebold, the idea for the pumpkin donation initiative took root in 2023, emerging as a solution to the rising costs associated with purchasing pumpkin puree, which typically runs about $6 per can. This program not only fosters community involvement but also helps the society meet the nutritional needs of its animals more sustainably.
“So last year, when I saw all the seasonal jack-o-lanterns coinciding with my friends giving pumpkins away, I thought maybe people might appreciate having a place to take their surplus pumpkins to where they can be of great use and give many animals some relief from very tender tummies,” Siebold explained, highlighting her motivation behind the program.
Reflecting on last year’s efforts, she remarked, “Last year was our first outreach and we received enough pumpkin to fill our fridge freezer about halfway, which definitely saved us some money and allowed us to feed local pumpkin to our rescues in need for a few months.” This successful initiative not only alleviated financial strain but also provided a steady food source for vulnerable animals at the shelter.
The pumpkin donation initiative has garnered considerable support from the community, as it provides an accessible way for residents to contribute without incurring significant costs, all while making a tangible difference for the shelter’s rescues. This program also plays a role in reducing waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.
“We are always amazed, and incredibly grateful for the kindness our supporters show us,” Siebold stated. “We will continue to accept fresh pumpkins for as long as they come in,” reinforcing the Humane Society’s commitment to this resourceful and community-driven initiative.
**Interview with MJ Siebold of the Lac La Biche Regional Humane Society**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, MJ! Your initiative to repurpose Halloween pumpkins is truly inspiring. Can you tell us how this idea came about?
**MJ Siebold:** Thank you for having me! The idea originated from our desire to find a creative way to engage the community while supporting our animals. Halloween pumpkins are often discarded after the holiday, so we thought, why not turn them into something beneficial for our shelter pets?
**Editor:** That’s a fantastic approach! Can you explain how the pumpkin puree benefits the animals in your care?
**MJ Siebold:** Absolutely. Pumpkin puree is rich in fiber and is gentle on the stomach, making it an excellent addition to the diets of our dogs and cats. Many of our animals come to us with digestive issues, often due to their previous living conditions. By blending the puree with a bland gastrointestinal pet food, we can help them feel full and reduce digestive upset.
**Editor:** You mentioned volunteers play a role in this process. What kind of help do you need from the community?
**MJ Siebold:** Yes, we rely on volunteers to help with the initial preparation of the pumpkins. This includes scooping out the insides and cutting the pumpkins into chunks. Once we have that done, we puree the pumpkin and store it in convenient portions. We also encourage individuals to help by preparing and freezing their pumpkins at home before donating them to the shelter.
**Editor:** That sounds like a wonderful community effort. How can community members get involved if they want to help?
**MJ Siebold:** They can reach out to us via our website or social media to find out about volunteer opportunities. We are always looking for passionate individuals to assist in preparing the pumpkins and, of course, we always welcome donations! Whether it’s pumpkins or their time, every contribution makes a difference.
**Editor:** It’s great to hear about such a practical solution to both animal care and waste reduction. Do you have any closing thoughts you’d like to share?
**MJ Siebold:** Just a big thank you to our community for embracing this initiative. It’s rewarding to see how something as simple as a pumpkin can have a profound impact on the lives of our shelter animals. Together, we can make a real difference!
**Editor:** Thank you, MJ, for sharing your insights. It’s heartwarming to see people coming together for a good cause!
**MJ Siebold:** Thank you for having me!