When the Petco Foundation launches its national food bank drive for the holiday season Friday, Tom Wargo is going to be one happy man.
He knows the contributions will mean he doesn't have to turn away as many people who can't afford to feed their pets. Wargo is the director of Daffy's Pet Soup Kitchens in Georgia. He says when he started his soup kitchen in 1997, people referred to him as the "crazy dog food guy." He's a hero to thousands now.
"The idea is to help families feed their pets so they don't have to take them to shelters,'' said Petco Foundation executive director Tom Jolly. "The food banks are really filling a need in the communities now.''
Petco stores have bins where shoppers can drop off cans and sealed bags of food for cats and dogs as well as kitty litter.
Why pet food banks? One in eight families is taking part in food banks, according to the Petco Foundation, and many of these families also have pets who need food. Petco started the program in March. Its stores partner with a local food bank or animal welfare group to donate pet food and litter directly to economically stressed consumers in that store's community. The initiative has already provided more than 110 tons of pet food and litter to those in need. But pets continue to end up in shelters. Keeping pets healthy and out of the shelters during the holidays is a key goal.
"Petco's contributions to us are helping in more ways than one,'' says Wargo, adding when people come to the food banks, he and other volunteers get a chance to open conversations about spay and neuter programs. Again, fewer animals for the shelters. "We help them find affordable veterinary care,'' he says.
Families visit the food banks once a month and pick up enough food for two pets.
"It's really the perfect point of contact for families to learn about caring for pets,'' says Jolly. "Also research shows a fixed animal is likely to stay in a home because they are a greater value to the owner."
Jolly says many of the stores will have a can of food at the register that can be purchased and adding to the food bin. The stores can tell customers or those in need which food bank or shelter is serving their area.
READERS: What a great effort this is to help families and pets stay together. Any contribution helps, including foods for senior pets and pets requiring special diets. Right now, it's just for cats and dogs. Here's another story about a volunteer who helps collect and distribute food for cats in Oregon.
