Connecticut Humane Society provides tips, resources for pet owners as holiday season approaches
The Connecticut Humane Society is looking to help pet owners with resources as the holiday season approaches.
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News 12 spoke with James Bias, the executive director of the Humane Society, about the resources and help they offer. Bias said when there’s a loss in income, pet owners might have to make a hard decision and surrender their furry friend.
"Pet food has continued to get more costly. Raw ingredients are going up in cost, and the pet food companies are having to transfer that cost to the consumer. And pet owners are having to make tough decisions every time they go buy their own food, as well as their pet's food. Sometimes they're going without their own food," Bias said.
However, the pet food pantry program is one resource that can help pet owners keep their family together.
It's offered at all three humane society locations: Newington, Wilton and Waterford. Between the three locations, the society typically serves an average of 150 families a month.
"We have families every day that have been reaching out to us, but now more than ever we anticipate that there's going to be kind of a run on out food pantry, and we're going to need the community to help fill our shelves." Bias said.
On Thursday, the Humane Society will host a pet food and supply drive at the new Wilton location from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Food donations must be unopened and unexpired. Supplies like bedding and toys are also on the wish list. Using the donations, families are able to receive a 30-day supply of food for their pets.
"This is a bridge. This is not ongoing. It's not a lifetime of feeding. This is to help carry them through, until they can then step back up and be able to provide their resources for their pet," Bias said.
Anyone who brings a donation to the Humane Society on Thursday will get a free tour of the new facility. Anyone who needs assistance with pet food, can visit the CT Humane Society website and fill out an application.
