TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Food banks across the country have seen longer lines and increased demand since the beginning of the pandemic. And in recent years, pet food banks have found themselves in a similar situation.
At the Hermitage Cat Shelter near 22nd and Craycroft in Midtown Tucson, volunteers hand out pet food, toys and treats on the third Thursday of each month. This is part of the Food for People’s Pets program, which started in 2008.
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Lori Gray is one of the recipients who lines up every month to get the litter and food she needs for her cat and two dogs.
“They are my service dogs. If I didn’t have them, I would be lost without them,” she said. “I live on SSI (Supplemental Security Income), which helps a lot…at least $40 a month.”
Recipients receive financial assistance and must prove that their pets are spayed or neutered.
But as demand soars, supply becomes harder to come by.
“Pet food is hard to come by,” volunteer Terry Bambauer said. “It’s very expensive. Even to provide food, we don’t get as many donations as we used to.”
Pantry distributions used to occur weekly, but now only occur monthly.
Bambauer said the shelter receives monetary and food donations from the community, but also asks local businesses if they can donate expired or unused food.
She continues to dedicate her time to places that give her peace of mind. She suffered a traumatic brain injury after surgery to remove a brain tumor seven years ago.
“So this helps with a lot of things,” she explained. “Occupational therapy helps me remember numbers and names…It’s rewarding. It’s very stress-relieving.”
Keeping beloved pets out of crowded shelters also reduces economic stress on communities.
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Ryan Fish is an anchor and reporter for KGUN 9 who came to the Sonoran Desert from California’s Central Coast after working as a reporter, sports anchor and weather forecaster in Santa Barbara. Ryan grew up in the Chicago suburbs and frequently visited family in Tucson. Share your story ideas and important issues with Ryan by emailing ryan.fish@kgun9.com or connecting on Facebook. Twitter.
