Pet meals drive underway as demand will increase in Santa Barbara County

In latest weeks, pet meals pantries throughout Santa Barbara County have been working low on meals for cats and canine.

“There’s lots of people that, in the course of the pandemic, struggled to feed themselves in addition to their pets,” mentioned well being educator for Santa Barbara County Animal Providers, Esmeralda Medina.

She says in a five-month interval, their pet meals pantry in Lompoc assisted roughly 250 households, whereas the countywide demand for canine and cat meals continues to extend.

“There have been about 80 households that have been counting on the pet meals pantries to assist their canine and cats get meals they want every month,” mentioned Paul Benedix, basic supervisor of Lemos Provide and Pet Meals. “The demand has elevated by nearly 50%, so there’s over 120 households that depend on the pet meals pantries to feed their canine and cats.”

In flip, quite a few native organizations are working collectively this month to encourage pet meals donations on the County’s animal facilities, or at collaborating Lemos areas.

You will discover pet meals donation bins at Lemos’ Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Solvang areas, however purchases may be made wherever. Individuals may usher in their very own dry or moist canine and cat meals to be donated.

“Every of the areas, now we have obtained an ideal buyer base. Individuals who store at our shops are, once they can, beneficiant, and we’re undoubtedly seeing some visitors are available to assist this system,” added Benedix.

Medina says there’s not a certain quantity of pet meals they’re making an attempt to gather in donations for the pet meals drive, simply {that a} donation of any sum goes an extended strategy to hold their providers going.

“We’re very grateful for no matter anyone can provide,” Medina advised KSBY. “We all know that lots of people need to assist, however do not understand how, or that they don’t seem to be capable of personal an animal, need to assist, however do not understand how. This can be a good way for these folks and neighborhood members that need to be part of this program and be part of helping neighborhood pets.”

Santa Barbara County’s pet meals pantries are additionally supplied without charge to pet mother and father within the space. When out there, in addition they provide different important free pet provides and providers like conditioners for canine and cats, leashes and harnesses, and occasional flea and vaccine remedies.

Should you or somebody you understand is in want of meals and provides for his or her furry associates, all it’s a must to do is name one of many animal shelters in Santa Barbara County, or go to them throughout enterprise hours to be helped by on-site employees.