Local animal shelters say they are struggling to keep up with growing demand as their pet food supplies run dangerously low.
LEAGUE CITY, Texas — With SNAP benefits cut as the government drags on, many Houston-area families are struggling to pay the bills, keep food on the table and cover the cost of pet food.
Houston-area animal shelters say it’s been tough to keep up with growing demand as their pet food supplies run dangerously low. More families are asking for help feeding their pets, and donations are not keeping pace with the need.
League City Animal Care, a municipal shelter, provides free pet food to families in need. Community outreach coordinator Leo Humphries said the shelter has seen a sharp increase in families coming for food in recent weeks.
“It’s been a lot busier these last few weeks,” Humphries said. “Usually, our shelves are more full, but now they’re empty.”
The shelter says it used to give out entire bags of dog food, but now staff must ration smaller portions.
Humphries said many pet owners have had their animals for years, but after covering their own food costs, they often do not have enough left to pay for food for their pets.
Shelter staff worry that some pet owners may be forced to make difficult decisions.
“People don’t really want to give up their animals,” Humphries said. “We want to give them the resources to keep their animals.”
Friends for Life in the Heights also gives out free pet food, but their supplies are running low as well.
“Our front desk has the difficult task of telling people we don’t have food for them,” founder Salise Shuttlesworth told KHOU 11.
In these tough economic times, shelters rely on community support.
“If we can help an animal stay in a home, that is a win for everyone,” Shuttlesworth said.
If you would like to donate to League City Animal Care, you can visit their website.
If you want to donate to Friends For Life, here’s their website.