We all know things are tough out there, everyone is feeling the pinch. Pet food pantries have been springing up around the country to help pet owners in need. In many cases food pantries make the difference between keeping or having to give up a beloved pet.
There is a food drive going on in Omaha, now through August 31st. I encourage anyone in that area to drop off some food at any of the locations listed below. Even a small bag will help, no amount is too little.
Four Legged Food Drive:
Omaha families get help from Best Friends Animal Society to keep their pets despite tough economy.
This summer Best Friends Animal Society volunteers will be working in 13 cities, including Omaha, to collect pet food for families in need, in the First Home Forever Home Four Legged Food Drive.
From July 6 through August 31, the Omaha team will be collecting all kinds of sealed and unexpired pet food. The drive will benefit the Omaha Food Bank, 6824 J Street, Omaha, NE. For complete list of locations please see the Nebraska Community on the Best Friends Network or scroll to bottom of this release for listing.
Jackie Roach, project leader for the Omaha Team No More Homeless Pets said:
“Some people may be able to keep their beloved pets with a little pet food help. Most are beyond grateful to receive that help. There is nothing more rewarding than preventing an animal from being displaced and helping to keep the family intact. Just like the animals, many families suffer when they feel they have no other choice but to surrender their pets. It’s heartbreaking. The animal is confused and completely freaked out by being in the shelter and the family misses their most loyal companion and worries about their fate.”
Ellen Gilmore, campaign coordinator for Best Friends Animal Society’s campaign First Home Forever Home-which is helping people provide a loving, forever home for their pets-explained the urgency of the food drive:
“In the past year more pets have been finding themselves homeless because their families are facing tough economic times. With or without the downturn in the economy, every community has a homeless pet problem. In the past year, however, the number of pets who become homeless via relinquishment to animal shelters and abandonment has increased because of current economic conditions, foreclosures and joblessness.
“Best Friends is responding to that need because helping provide free pet food will help some people keep their pets. This summer Best Friends and our Team No More Homeless Pets volunteers will be working in cities across the United States to collect pet food for families in need in the First Home Forever Home Four Legged Food Drive.”
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DONATION LOCATIONS:
Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals – all three locations
15230 W. Maple Road
Omaha, NE 68116
402-445-4400
12031 Blondo
Omaha, NE 68164
402-493-9650
8911 Grant Street
Omaha, NE 68134
402-397-4344
Nature Dog
3647 North 129th St
(Eagle Run Square)
Omaha, NE 68164
402-697-7156
BonaFide Dog Academy
14840 Grover Street
(one block south of Industrial Rd.)
Omaha, NE 68144
402-250-9452
Dogtopia
13239 Portal Drive
(off S. 132nd Street just south of Giles Rd.)
LaVista, NE 68138
402-502-4797
A Hill of Beans Coffee Roasters
14512 W. Center Road
(Harvey Oaks Plaza)
Omaha, NE 68144
402-333-6048
Studio…Gallery
4965 Dodge St
Omaha, NE 68132
About First Home Forever Home: Best Animal Society’s First Home Forever Home campaign focuses on all aspects of helping people make and honor a lifetime commitment to their pets. Millions of companion animals die every year in crowded shelters because their families decided to let them go for some reason.
Through education, intervention and action, First Home Forever Home provides guidance and resources to help people care for their pets and keep them as loved members of their families.
About Best Friends Animal Society: Best Friends Animal Society is a nonprofit, membership organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More Homeless Pets. The society’s leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country’s largest no-kill sanctuary. This work is made possible by the personal and financial support of a grassroots network of members and community partners across the nation. In 2009, Best Friends celebrates its 25th anniversary.
