Holiday pet food drive geared to help pets of seniors

The eighth annual Pledge to End Pet Hunger has begun anew accepting donations and pledges through Dec. 31. Banfield Charitable Trust, Banfield Pet Hospital and Royal Canin are behind the program, which is designed to raise awareness about pet hunger and to collect pet food and raise funds for senior citizen pet owners who need support to feed their companion animals.

A release from the sponsors says pets belonging to seniors with limited income and resources are at a greater risk of being surrendered to a shelter, which can leave seniors without their companions. “Pets play an invaluable role in the lives of people who face difficult life circumstances,” says Dianne McGill, executive director and CEO of Banfield Charitable Trust. “It is our hope that people will gain a greater understanding of the challenges facing senior citizen pet owners and how lack of food is contributing to the overcrowding of shelters in every community. Spreading the message and making a donation will enrich and save lives.”

Royal Canin has committed to donating 30,000 pounds of pet food. It will also donate a pound for every pledge made on its Facebook page, up to 20,000 pounds. All pet food donations, which can be dropped off at any of Banfield Pet Hospital’s more than 830 locations, and 100 percent of all monetary donations will benefit Meals on Wheels pet food distribution programs across the United States. Meals on Wheels senior nutrition programs serve more than 1 million meals to seniors every day.

“Nutrition is the foundation of good health for both pets and people and we are our proud to support this important pet food drive,” says Jeffrey Klausner, DVM, MS, DACVIM, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Banfield Pet Hospital. “As a practice, our focus is making a better world for pets through preventive care and we are committed to ensuring the pets of homebound seniors receive proper nutrition to live long and healthy lives.”

In addition to pet food, for every $10 or more donations, the Kong pet toy company will donate a Kong Classic toy designed to keep indoor dogs mentally and physically stimulated. To donate, go to banfieldcharitabletrust.org. To take the Royal Canin pledge, go to the Royal Canin Facebook page. To find a Banfield Pet Hospital location, go to Banfield.com.