CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - The Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA is revamping its pet food pantry program and is asking the community for donations. The food pantry is one of the many ways the shelter is working to increase pet retention in the Charlottesville and Albemarle County communities.

Through the pet pantry, the CASPCA provides pet food supplies to 74 families each month - that's 131 dogs and 71 cats.

But they want to serve even more families.

The CASPCA says financial insecurity is one of the leading causes of pet surrenders.

Volunteers are bagging, transporting, and dishing out dog and cat food at local food pantries as a way to reach those who may be struggling. The shelter is also partnering with Meals on Wheels to make sure pet food gets delivered to homebound men and women.

"So we know people go through financial hardships at times, and just being able to provide something as simple as food that's donated to us to those who maybe it will help them keep their pet at home," CASPCA Executive Director Angie Gunter said.

Volunteers will hand out food at Buck Mountain on the fourth Tuesday of each month. They're at Ivy Episcopal the third Wednesday of every month, and people can pick up pet food at Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry the fourth Wednesday of every month.

Right now, the shelter is asking for both wet and dry cat and dog food, dog treats, leashes, collars and dog coats for the winter.

The Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA also just launched its senior for seniors program, where senior citizens can adopt animals age ten and older for free.