Two Cincinnati-area nonprofit animal welfare groups are combining forces to open the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry -- a food pantry for pets. The pantry will be operated out of a self-storage facility, Queen City Self-Storage, at 4775 Red Bank Expressway in Cincinnati. The new pet food pantry is conveniently located right behind the Red Bank Emergency Vet Clinic. The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry will be run by Recycled Doggies and Pet Alliance.
Organizers of the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry say they have noticed that many families are forced to get rid of their family pets because they are so short of money that they cannot afford to feed an animal in addition to their own family members. They hoped to prevent families from having to make such a heartbreaking decision by providing food for pets.
"Part of what we've been hearing is that some of these dogs are there because their owners can't afford them anymore, explains Shannon DeBra, the Director of Recycled Doggies. "We believe that no one should be forced to choose whether to pay the rent or mortgage or buy food for the family pet." She and Anita Barron, of Pet Alliance, wanted to find a way to reduce the number of unwanted pets that need homes. They thought that if current owners and dogs could be kept together, animal shelters would not fill up so quickly. So they decided to open a pet food pantry. "Other cities have them," says DeBra, "and we thought, why don't we have one of these?"
Barron and DeBra hope to open the food pantry for business on March 6. Pet owners will not be required to prove need in order to receive pet food. Owners who ask for help will be given food. During the month of February, Pet Alliance also hopes to have grant money that it can use to help pay for the spaying and neutering of pets owned by Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry patrons. The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry has also received a grant that will help to pay for microchipping of pets through MicroChip USA.
The Hartz Mountain Corporation has gotten the food pantry started with a large donation of supplies and treats, including 2700 pounds of collars, lint rollers, treats, bones, and cow ears. But the pantry does not have much food yet--only ten cans. To fill up the pantry with food, Barron and DeBra plan to hold a pet food drive each Saturday in February. They will take donations of unopened, unexpired dog and cat food, as well as monetary donations. They also hope to receive donations of cat litter. People who volunteer to help staff the food pantry can earn a free ticket to Disney World through Disney's Hands On Network Disney "Give a Day, Get a Day" program.
Recycled Doggies is a nonprofit animal rescue group specializing in dogs. Unlike many animal rescue organizations, Recycled Doggies does not operate a shelter. Instead, all of its dogs are placed in foster homes with volunteers. The organization puts pictures and descriptions of the dogs on a website, and interested adopters must make appointments to meet the dogs. Recycled Doggies also hosts regular dog adoption events at Cincinnati Petsmart locations.
Pet Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the needs of homeless cats and dogs, and providing funds to pay for all or part of the spaying and neutering of animals whose owners cannot afford to spay or neuter a pet. Pet Alliance also works with local animal rescue organizations and helps to connect people and pets with the resources that they need.