"Pet food is disgustingly pricey," said Donald Brown, a pet owner from Lindenhurst.

That's something every Long Island pet owner knows. Keeping the furry member of your family fed is nothing to bark at as pet food prices have gone up in recent years.

Brown visits Baxter's Pet Pantry on North Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst every month to help with costs.

"Pet food, toys – they give us jackets for him. It's quite wonderful," said Brown.

"Most of these families they will spend less money on their meals in order for their pets to eat each day," said Enedina Coronado, program coordinator for Baxter's Pet Pantry.

Coronado says Long Islanders spend between $150 to $300 a month for pet food, and she says it costs as much as $4,300 a year to own a pet.

"That includes pet food, supplies, grooming, vet visits, medications and the list goes on," said Coronado.

Long Island Cares food bank opened the pantry for pets in 2009, and since then has provided Long Islanders with free food and supplies.

This year, Baxter's expects to have more than 1,000 visits each month. People who would like to pick up pet food from Baxter's Pet Pantry can make an appointment by going online or calling Long Island Cares.

Long Island Cares says there are similar pet pantries like Baxter's across Nassau and Suffolk.

"They're a great value to the community," said Brown.

Using coupons and buying in bulk will also help ease the burden of costly pet food.

For more information on Baxter's Pet Pantry, visit the LI Cares website.