Keeping pets and families together: Totally Pawsome’s growing impact

Pets bring comfort, companionship, and joy each day, especially during difficult times. But when money gets tight, families often have to focus on basics like keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table, while still worrying about how to care for their beloved pets. Totally Pawsome was formed to help ease that burden.

Based in Eagle River, the nonprofit provides essential pet supplies and services to families in need across Vilas, Oneida, and surrounding counties. Founded in September 2023 by Tracie Van Houten, a self-described animal lover, Totally Pawsome held its first pet food pantry the following month.

“That first pantry took place outdoors in cold, rainy conditions, yet we still distributed 518 pounds of food to 30 pets, along with some cat litter and treats,” Van Houten said. “That experience immediately showed us how much this service was needed in our community.”

Pet-friendly essentials

Since then, the mission has continued to grow, with Van Houten and her team focusing on creating a supportive, dignified experience for pet owners.

Pantries are now held indoors every two months at Cloverland Town Hall, with expanded offerings that include treats for dogs and cats, toys, collars and leashes, pet beds, dog diapers, and more. Families receive cards based on the number and type of animals in their care and can select the items that best meet their needs.

Other services include nail trims and microchipping, offered at no charge to pet food pantry participants, while $5 nail trims and donation-based microchips are available to the public during pantry events. Totally Pawsome has also begun expanding assistance with spay and neuter services for pantry participants.

High demand

The nonprofit has seen an uptick in demand as rising food costs continue to strain household budgets and uncertainty around assistance programs has grown following SNAP changes in November.

Based on data provided by Van Houten, the organization is now serving about 50 percent more pets per pantry, nearly doubling the amount of food distributed compared to the previous year. In 2025, Totally Pawsome served 554 pets from 138 households, distributing more than 7,100 pounds of food, or about 12,300 meals, across six pantry events.

Community support

Community members and local businesses have stepped up to support Totally Pawsome through volunteering and partnerships. During pantry events, families shop for items that meet their needs, after which pet food is weighed and distributed outside by volunteers. Students from area schools also assist by helping carry food to vehicles as part of their school volunteer requirements.

The nonprofit also hosted its first free microchip clinic in October at Northwoods Animal Hospital in Eagle River. Microchipping provides a permanent form of identification that helps reunite lost pets with their families when collars, tags, or GPS devices fail. Lost Dogs of Wisconsin donated all of the microchips, and Dr. Mark at Northwoods Animal Hospital implanted chips in 30 pets at no cost to their families.

Food, treat, and toy collection bins are available at ACE Hardware, Northwoods Animal Hospital, Eagle River Animal Hospital, and Legacy Floors in Eagle River, as well as at The Fisherman’s Outpost in Conover. Van Houten noted that unopened food items are preferred.

Wish lists featuring the most-needed pet items are available on Chewy and Amazon, with links posted at totallypawsome.org/how-to-help.

Cash donation boxes are also located at Andy’s Pontoon Saloon, JJ’s House of Dogs, and Sweetwater’s Spirits and Resort in Eagle River.

Donations to support veterinary care can be made through a contribution box at Northwoods Animal Hospital or by calling the clinic and placing funds on Totally Pawsome’s account. Monetary donations may also be mailed to Totally Pawsome, PO Box 1184, Eagle River, WI 54521, or sent electronically through PayPal.

A pawsome cause

Van Houten said spreading the word remains one of the most important ways the community can help.

“A lot of people still don’t know we exist,” she said. “We help people in Vilas, Oneida, and surrounding counties, but most pet owners are from Vilas or just over the border in Michigan.”

Reflecting on the organization’s impact, Van Houten said Totally Pawsome helps families keep their pets during difficult times.

“By providing food and basic supplies, we reduce the risk of pets being surrendered due to financial hardship, ease the strain on local shelters, and support both people and animals in a way that strengthens the overall health of our community,” she said.

The next free pet food pantry will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Cloverland Town Hall, 5860 Perch Lake Road, Eagle River. For more information or to become a pantry participant or volunteer, visit totallypawsome.org, facebook.com/totallypawsomeinfo, email totallypawsomeinfo@gmail.com, or call 715-539-6815.