Pet Food Donations Desperately Needed Amid LA County Shelter Surge: Officials

LOS ANGELES, CA — Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles issued an urgent call Monday for donations of pet food, saying its shelters have seen an increase in animals leading to a shortage of supplies to feed them.

"Hunger is a topic front-of-mind for many in our community. Animals are not immune," Madeline Bernstein, spcaLA president, said in a statement. "Shelter pets come here hungry, malnourished, and often injured or sick. An essential part of their recovery is proper nutrition and feeding. We need help to keep them well-nourished and healthy.

"For animals who are victims of abuse and neglect especially, food is integral in rebuilding the human-animal bond," Bernstein said. "Animals, formerly frozen in fear in the presence of people, begin to heal as they accept food from an outstretched hand."

Officials with spcaLA said adoptions have been steady at the organization's three shelters, but the intake of homeless animals "continues to rise to levels unseen." According to the organization, it has seen a 24% increase in dog intake this year, most of them being large breeds. The intake of puppies has increased by 59%, while kitten intake jumped by 11%.

The organization pleaded with the public to consider donating money or pet food to alleviate the situation. The most needed items are canned dog food and dry cat and kitten food.

Monetary donations can be made at spcaLA.com. Food donations can be made at any spcaLA location:

• South Bay Pet Adoption Center, 12910 Yukon Ave., Hawthorne, (Wednesday-Sunday: 11a.m.-3 p.m.);
• P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center:, 7700 E. Spring St. in El Dorado Park, Long Beach, (Wednesday-Sunday: 11a.m.-3 p.m.); and
• Pet Adoption Center & Administrative Office:, 5026 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, (Monday-Sunday: 11a.m.-3 p.m.).

City News Service