When families struggling to make ends meet, they aren’t the only ones who suffer. Sometimes the dog bowl and cat dish go empty, too.
A new effort is under way in Dade City to collect donations of pet food that can be distributed to families in need. Those wishing to contribute dog food, cat food, pet toys, leashes, collars and other pet items can bring them to Dog-Mania & Cats Pet Boutique and Pet Lovers Gift Shop, 14012 Seventh St., Suite A, in Dade City.
The sponsors of Dogs Day in Dade City decided to set up the Dogs Day Pet Pantry because they want to help people keep their pets.
Donations can be dropped off Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., said shop owner Suzanne Gagliolo.
After pet food and other pet items are collected, they will be distributed through a network established by Love One Another, a program that helps people in need, Gagliolo said.
“Because of the economic conditions we’re in, people have had to give up their pets,” Gagliolo said.
Pet owners typically want to keep their animals. They typically don’t give them up, unless they simply can’t afford to keep them, she said.
“For many people, these (pets) are their children,” Gagliolo said.
When pets are taken to shelters, they often end up being euthanized.
The Dogs Day Pet Pantry aims to help pet owners keep their pets and prevent animals from being destroyed.
“We can get them in touch with someone who can help them,” Gagliolo said.
The shop can be reached at (352) 457-9616. To find out more about Dogs Day in Dade City, go to DogsDayInDadeCity.com.
