Suffolk pet food drive for struggling families

Looking to relieve financially struggling pet owners, Suffolk County Legis. Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) announced plans last Wednesday to launch a countywide pet food drive.

Anker is inviting local residents, groups and businesses to set up collection boxes to donate cat and dog food to the Harry Chapin Food Bank in Hauppauge, run by the nonprofit group Long Island Cares.

“Pets are part of people’s families, and we have to support our families,” Anker said.

Since 2009, Long Island Cares has distributed more than 400,000 pounds of pet food to families in need. The group recently welcomed pet supply store Petsmart as one of its corporate sponsors, and the company has committed to donate pet food to the shelter, said Paule T. Pachter, executive director of Long Island Cares.

“We continue to see families that are struggling, that have dogs and cats, and we don’t want them to make the difficult decision to put their pets in shelters,” Pachter said. “That’s why we started the pet pantry.”

Anker said she plans to reach out to community groups and fellow legislators to set up collection boxes in their offices. The drive will be an ongoing project, Anker said. Those looking to donate pet food directly can drop off supplies at the Harry Chapin Food Bank, 10 Davids Dr., Hauppauge or call the center at 631-582-3663 for more information.