The CBS 13 and Fox 23 Pet Food Drive is Friday. The event helps shelters across the state at a time when some of them need it most. (WGME)
The CBS 13 and Fox 23 Pet Food Drive is Friday.
The event helps shelters across the state at a time when some of them need it most.
The faces at Maine animal shelters change frequently as pets come and go, but one constant is the care they receive while they're there.
“We care for so many animals and what does every animal need more than anything else? A healthy diet,” Stephanie Kelley with the Animal Welfare Society said.
From Kennebunk to Westbrook to Brunswick, thousands of pets come through every year.
“This time of year, we have a lot of residents in our care that need food and it's expensive so any donation that we get is just hugely, hugely appreciated,” Jane Siviski with the Coastal Humane Society said.
At the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, the donations not only help them and their volunteer foster homes, but also families going through tough times.
“Two days a week we open up our pet food pantry doors, we disperse food to those in need, because we want to keep that animal in a loving home and not cause it stress coming into a sheltering system to be adopted by a new home,” Jeana Roth with the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland said.
The Animal Welfare Society is always desperate for cat food.
"A litter of kittens can go through a case of food in no time at all, so canned cat food, we will never have too much,” Kelley said.
They say gift cards are great too.
“And that's because many animals are on special diets, especially animals that have come through our clinic, they've been diagnosed with a medical condition or allergies and they need some sort of very special high-end food and we're not always going to have that on hand,” Kelley said. “So, a gift card to Amazon, to a pet supply store will ensure that we can just run right out and get the food that the animals need.”
Even the smallest donation can make a big difference to keep the animals healthy and ready to find their forever homes.
"Every so often we will have to pay for good quality food and that's fine and we'll do it, but we'd rather spend our money on important medical care and other services for the animals,” Siviski said.
The Pet Food Drive kicks off Friday morning.
CLICK HERE to find a full list of locations and drop off times.
