Helping pet owners

Howard County gets a huge relief from a pet food bank

“Khoel,” a male, 4 year old Boxer-mix, poses for a photo in one of the pantry storage areas. He is adoptable, case #47030. Howard County Animal Control & Adoption Center’s Pet Food Bank offers free dog and cat food as well as litter to families who are struggling to afford these items for their pets.

Lauren Ibon, of Catonsville, donated two cases of cat food Tuesday afternoon. Howard County Animal Control & Adoption Center’s Pet Food Bank offers free dog and cat food as well as litter to families who are struggling to afford these items for their pets. Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photos

For pet owners who struggle to provide for their cats or dogs, Howard County Animal Control & Adoption Shelter’s pet food bank offers free food as well as cat litter to anyone who calls requesting help.

First founded in 2008 as a pet food bank for seniors, the program has evolved during the past two decades to meet the community’s needs, Howard County Animal Control & Adoption Center Administrator Sheri Fox said. Now, the bank services about 300 people annually, with numbers increasing each year, especially after the pandemic.

“Now with the financial struggles and increased prices of pet food, we have received more requests than ever,” Fox said.

Fox said residents can call the shelter and request food or cat litter once per quarter. The shelter will arrange a pick-up time for the supplies. Occasionally, the shelter’s staff will also organize drive-thru pet food banks during its monthly rabies clinic or at libraries.

To run the food bank, Fox said the shelter relies on its 18-person staff to answer calls and emails, fill food requests, unload and rotate stock, and print brochures and materials. The pet food bank relies solely on donations.

“By providing pet food to those in need, we are able to help loving pet owners keep pets that they may have had to otherwise re-home or surrender to us,” Fox said. Although the program offers only pet food and cat litter to interested residents, Fox said the program will “adapt as needed” to the increase in demand for pet supplies.

“It happens more and more often that a distraught owner calls our shelter to discuss relinquishing their pet because they cannot afford to keep it,” Fox said. “We have been able to offer this support and keep that animal in its home.”

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