Pet Pantry Needs Donations in San Antonio
San Antonio’s Animal Care Services (ACS) recently made an urgent plea for pet food donations after its pantry shelves were nearly empty. Within just a few days, donations flooded in, including packages of preferred dog food from Amazon and contributions from ACS staff. This generous response resulted in enough supplies to last about two to three weeks.
Paul Trujillo, ACS Community Engagement Officer, noted the community’s strong support for such initiatives, emphasizing the importance of helping families maintain their pets instead of surrendering them due to financial hardships. The pantry assists approximately 10 to 15 families each week, particularly those in emergency situations or during outreach efforts for the homeless.
Despite the recent influx, both Trujillo and ACS Community Relations Manager Liz Martinez observed a trend of declining donations, especially during the summer months. They suspect that financial pressures related to back-to-school expenses and increased household costs might be contributing factors.
ACS collaborates with the nonprofit Daisy Cares, which also reports a decrease in food donations while demand continues to rise. Eric Cooper, CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, stated that the supply of pet food isn’t meeting the demand, highlighting the reliance on manufacturers and retailers rather than individual donations.
ACS hopes that partnerships and community outreach will reduce the need for urgent calls for help in the future. They maintain an Amazon wish list for preferred supplies and welcome donations at their facility during regular hours.
For those looking to help, any contributions are appreciated, and ACS remains open for continued donations.
