Lately, media accounts have demonstrated that many families have been faced with tough economic times. Tighter budgets, the cost of gas and home mortgages have left many families needing help and often times, the pets come in last in this equation. More and more, people surrendering their pets at Albuquerque Animal Welfare say they can’t afford to feed them.  Now, Albuquerque pet owners are getting some relief.
     At a news conference on October 7th, Mayor Martin J. Chávez announced a food bank for pets that will help low-income owners of dogs and cats in Albuquerque. Creation of the food bank resulted from a partnership between the Mayor, PETCO Foundation, The Storehouse food pantry in downtown Albuquerque and the city’s Animal Welfare Department. Pet food will be offered at The Storehouse, 106 Broadway SE, a food pantry that has provided free food supplies to low-income households for nearly 40 years. “Lately, media accounts have demonstrated that many families have been faced with either paying for such things as prescription medicines or food for their pets,” says Mayor Chavez. “Now, thanks to the generosity and efforts of the community, people have another way of finding help during hard times. This couldn’t have come at a more opportune time, given the national economic downturn.”
PETCO Foundation has agreed to contribute about two tons of pet food per month for distribution to qualified clients of The Storehouse.
     The arrangement was brokered by the Animal Welfare Department, which will be seeking additional supplies through a community food drive to benefit the Storehouse program and other potential charitable uses. Jeanine L. Patterson, R.N., director of Albuquerque Animal Welfare says “This program just underscores our mission to find permanent, loving homes for pets. It also reinforces that our pets are lifelong members of the family, even if it requires a little help during hard times.”
     For now, pet food can be donated to the Storehouse at Broadway SE and Central, to Albuquerque Fire Stations, and at city animal shelters. For more information, pet owners in need can call the Storehouse Food Pantry at 842-6491 or 3-1-1.