MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — It’s Day 40 of the government shutdown, and a Mobile pet food pantry is seeing its highest demand yet. We’re told supplies are running low.
Senate votes to advance proposal to end 40-day government shutdown
A few treat bags and scattered kibble were all that remained in the green donation box at Tori’s Pet Food Pantry outside Port City Pups on St. Anthony Street. Owner Tori Bell said she used to refill the box about once a week, but now it’s being emptied in a day.
“I got a bunch of bags when we did our grand opening, and at first it was, you know, steady, you know, probably every other week coming to fill it,” Bell said. “And then I’ve noticed within the past, like week, week and a half or maybe even two weeks, I’ll get a text message from one of the girls that’s like, hey, the pantry is empty. And I’m like, I just was there last night.”
Bell said the shutdown is forcing families to make tough choices.“People are having to choose now, like, do I buy for my kids or my family? Or do I buy for my pets?” Bell said. About 50 pounds of donated pet food can feed roughly 20 cats and dogs, but Bell said even a fresh refill doesn’t last.
“I see it every day working in vet med that people are constantly not able to take care of their pets properly because they can’t afford the food,” Bell said. For now, Bell still has donations from her grand opening in June. However, if demand continues, she worries the shelves won’t keep up.
“There’s so many people needing it, eventually I’m going to not have it all and people are going to have to help,” Bell said.
Bell said she is worried that this will lead to an even bigger issue.“Now we’re going to see more pets in the shelters, more pets on the streets,” Bell said. She encourages anyone who can to donate and reminds people that the pantry is there when they need it.“If you can bring (supplies) back whenever you’re doing better, that would really help us out. But if you can’t, you know it’s here for you,” Bell said. Bell plans to open a second pantry location in Theodore soon. For now, you can donate at Tori’s Pet Pantry located at St. Anthony Street. and N Dearborn Street…