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Pet Food Drive Ensures Pets Fed through Winter

By Rachel Ousley

Story Created: Dec 18, 2011 at 9:16 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 18, 2011 at 11:48 PM MDT

The holidays are the busiest time for food banks. This weekend the Great Falls Community Food Bank has teamed up with Pet Paw-See and Petco to make sure man's best friends do not go hungry either this winter.

This is the third year Pet Paw-See, the food bank, and Petco has paired up to ensure no animal goes hungry. Collections of pet food begin in October and this weekend anyone in need can pick up necessities for their furry friends at Petco. To be eligible you just need to show some proof of need like food stamps or a Medicaid card.

This is the season of giving and animals depend on us to get them through tough times. President of Pet Paw-See, Leslie Raynes, says, “people are having a difficult time and the first thing when times are hard financially is the pets have to leave”. She adds, “hopefully with the help of the food bank with the pet food we can help those people possibly keep their pets with their family”.

Just last month Pet Paw-See received phone calls on nearly 200 felines and thirty dogs that need new homes. Winter is especially hard on animals, particularly pets that are not used to the elements. Pet Paw-See recommends keeping pets indoors and not left in the cold to search for food. One cat available for adoption, Sweetie, is an example of the dangers of the outdoors. Sweetie was found without a foot and her entire leg had to be amputated.

Any leftover food donations will go to the elderly on the Meals On Wheels program that cannot get outdoors to buy food for their pets.

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