The recently formed community food bank for Livingston Parish pets is “critically low” on supplies and needs donations right now as people visit the donation-based food bank every single day for their dogs and cats.
The food pantry at the Livingston Parish Animal Shelter was formed roughly two months ago, and so far, has given out over 2,100 pounds of food. But the animal shelter said on Friday in a statement that the “food bank is now critically low. We have almost no dog food left, and our cat food supply is running out fast.”
Animal shelter director Amanda Forde said the food bank is not financially sponsored by the shelter and relies solely on donations.
“It’s only available if we receive donations,” she said. “The need is so great.”
Forde said if anyone is interested in donating its best to bring food that will feed the widest range of pets. The shelter asks for “nothing fancy” and “good quality, healthy” food that is not breed-specific, and to avoid brands with dyes, like Gravy Train or Ol’ Roy.
But any donation is helpful, and she said they will accept open bags of pet food that are taped closed.
The food bank provides both dog and cat food, but the need for dog food is much higher, Forde said. They have so far given out 1,576 pounds of dog food and 606 pounds of cat food.
“We’re very proud of that,” Forde said about the amount.
The bank primarily helps community members who already own animals and might be struggling to afford pet food.
Forde said they have people come to the food bank “every single day.”
“It’s always been something the team wanted to do,” said animal shelter director Amanda Forde. “There is definitely a need in the community for it.”
The food bank was formed about a month before the new animal shelter expansion opened. The new $3.5 million facility allowed the parish to triple its shelter capacity in hopes of serving the volume of animal control calls it receives.