Hi Everyone,

This is my first time posting anything on here, but I wanted to find out if many of you have Pet Food Banks in your area?  There was a report on it here last night on our local news and I thought what an awesome thing to do!! Although the report was given here in Las Vegas, Nevada, the report was about a lady who'd just opened up a pet food bank in her hometown in Georgia.  Seems like a great thing to do to help families with pets who, because of today's economy are having a difficult time feeding their pets and are ending up having to take them to the shelter because they can't afford to feed them. I'm definitely going to look into it here, and if there is one already, I plan to be a donor to help keep the pet food bank going. If not, who knows, I just may have to pick up a new hobby and open one myself!

There was a story in our local paper about a pet owner who was going to have to give up her 2 dogs (that she rescued from a shelter when they were pups) because she could not afford to take care of them.  I emailed the reporter who did the story and asked if she/he could do a follow up story about the possibility of setting up a pet food bank.  I have not heard back from the reporter.  I THINK IT"S A TERRIFIC IDEA!  Maybe, we could start a network of people who would want to start a pet food bank.  

Mary 

I'm new here but thought to mention that I am the founder of a pet food bank in Colorado Springs.  I have been contacted by 13 individuals in 8 states wanting to start their own pet food assistance program in their area.  There is a definite need for such programs to help people keep their pets during these trying times  If you'd be interested in seeing our site, please go to pikespeakpetpantry.org .  Take care and keep in mind to help pets (and people) any way you can by either donating, volunteering, or starting your own program in your area!

Darlene M.

Pikes Peak Pet Pantry

pikespeakpetpantry.org

This is a brilliant idea...not sure how you'd implement it, but I guess you'd start by getting the cooperation of store owners in your community, maybe go pick up the donated items yourself.  It would probably be most effective if it's not done year-round....  This is done in our area, but the food goes directly to the rescue.  You would probably get the cooperation of newspapers, TV stations, etc., if you explain what you are trying to do. 

Some vets also have free vet care, but I can't remember what the program is called.  Also, I'm not sure if it's for strays (which have to be given up), etc.  I heard about it years ago. 

Starting a pet foodbank isn't that hard.  If you get a place to store and give out the food then community support will follow.  If you'd like information on how to start a pet food assistance program in your area, please feel free to contact us at pikespeakpetpantry.org .  Thank you.

Darlene M.

Pikes Peak Pet Pantry

Darlene, let us know if it's okay to crosspost your info, thanks. 

Sure, you could crosspost the message below as long as you keep the message and contact information intact.  Let me know if you have any more questions.

I am the founder of a pet food bank in Colorado Springs.  I have been contacted by 18 individuals in 13 US states and Canada, wanting to start their own pet food assistance program in their area.  There is a definite need for such programs to help people keep their pets during these trying times.  If you'd be interested in seeing our site or finding out more information on how to start a pet food program, please go to pikespeakpetpantry.org or email staff1@pikespeakpetpantry.org .  Take care and keep in mind to help pets (and people) any way you can by either donating, volunteering, or starting your own program in your area!

Darlene M.

Pikes Peak Pet Pantry

pikespeakpetpantry.org