DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Animal Shelter has started a Pet Food Pantry Donation Drive to help families and their pets during the federal government shutdown.
“With the current situation people are making a difficult decision between feeding themselves and feeding their pets,” said Aidan McMorrow, the community engagement administrator for the Denver Animal Shelter.
McMorrow said the pet pantry is providing food and items through in-person donations and an Amazon wish list. The donations are to assist families during the government shutdown struggling to feed their pets or are considering making the tough decision to surrender their pets if they aren’t able to feed them.
“It’s just become increasing expensive to take care of your pet,” McMorrow said. “We don’t think it should be such a privilege to have a cat or a dog,”
McMorrow said the shelter is seeing an increase in pet parents surrendering their animals for a variety of reasons. He said the shelter is here to help you through that process but also wants to make sure they can assist in any way before so that the tough decision doesn’t have to be made.
“I often see people making the decision to feed their dog and not feed themselves it’s not something people should have to choose between but it’s the reality we are living in now,” McMorrow said.
As of Tuesday, the shelter is focused on the food aspect, as it has been in high demand.
“It’s a revolving door of people showing up and getting what they need,” McMorrow said.
The shelter also offers a variety of veterinarian services, including vaccines, along with spaying and neutering services for pets. Many of these services are offered at a major discount to help with the overall costs of being a pet parent.
The shelter is asking the community that wants to pick up pet food to email ahead of time so the shelter can make sure they have what your pet needs. The email is dap.outreach@denvergov.org.
“Animals can be picky it’s nice to have options for folks,” McMorrow said.
People wanting to donate pet food can drop it off at bins in the front of the Denver Animal Shelter, located at 1241 W. Bayaud Ave. The shelter also noted that families looking for food resources during the government shutdown should visit the city and county of Denver’s website.
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