NORTH TEXAS — We all pay more for many things today, including pet food. Demand has increased at the only pet food bank in the area.
13-year-old Yorkie “Dixie Belle” has been Carolyn Head’s companion for more than a decade.
“She means a lot to me,” Head said. “He’s like my baby.”
The eight-pound ball of fur remained at Head’s side for his knee replacement last month.
“She knew when I had surgery and everything. She would stay by the bed and make sure I was okay and all,” Head said.
Head could barely make ends meet with off-and-on jobs as a substitute teacher.
“That was a difficult time for me,” Head said.
She found the help she needed to feed her companion at the Don’t Forget To Feed Me Pet Food Bank, based in Fort Worth. Director Maria Koegl said it is the only pet food bank in North Texas and provides food for both dogs and cats.
“We have 35 distribution partners right now, and we give them about 35,000 pounds per month,” Koegl said.
Those at the pet food bank say demand for pet food through their organization has increased by 35% in the past year. They believe this is largely due to the effects of inflation and the economy.
“Every month, we have a partner who sends us a message asking for 500 to 1,000 pounds more because they have more people coming in saying, ‘We can no longer afford the cost of pet food, ‘” Koegl said.
Koegl said many pet parents don’t take their medication or give their pets their own food to make sure their companions don’t go hungry. That’s something the non-profit hopes to change.
“There’s an elderly population like Carolyn who has Dixie Belle, and that’s her life. That’s her baby, and I can’t imagine they have to give that up,” Koegl said.
“She’s a big company for me, and she’s very spoiled,” said Head.
The head plans more years of destroying Dixie Belle thanks to the pet food bank that gives a helping hand and a paw to those in need.
For information on how to get pet food or to learn how to donate or volunteer for the Don’t Forget To Feed Me Pet Food Bank, click here.
