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Humane Society seeks pet food as its supply decreases
Shelter welcomes all donations from community
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Humane Society of Northeast Georgia employee Howard Scales feeds young puppies up for adoption Tuesday afternoon. The Humane Society normally gets food donations from Purina, but the company is temporarily halting donations to ship all supplies to flood-ravaged parts of the country. So the society is requesting donations.

Humane Society of Northeast Georgia

What: Seeking donations of Purina dry pet food
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: 845 West Ridge Road, Gainesville
More info: 770-532-6617, www.hsnega.org

 

Pet food diverted to tornado-ravaged areas of the country is leaving the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia with a dwindling supply.

The organization has relied on donations from Purina for more than a year.

"(Purina) told us ... they are going to be diverting a large portion of their donated food supply to the areas of the country that have been so horribly hit recently by the tornadoes and flooding," said Julie Edwards, director of development and marketing.

Though she said she's glad to see families in need receiving help, Edwards said it's going to leave the society struggling for the next several months.

The shelter feeds nearly 225 animals every day, president Rick Aiken said.

That requires 25 pounds of cat and kitten food, 50 pounds of puppy food and 75 to 100 pounds of dog food each day.

Without Purina's donations, the shelter is forced to purchase food, meaning it has less money for its other services, Aiken said.

"Over the years, people have brought in dog and cat food, and that has been a huge help to supplement our supply," Aiken said. "But right now, we're at our bare minimum."

The shelter will be accepting food donations during regular business hours as well as after hours if needed.

Officials said they prefer to stay consistent with Purina dry food and will have workers available to help unload any donations.

"The community has always been very supportive and we know they will come forward again in this time of need," Aiken said.

At the nearby Hall County Animal Shelter, pet food supplies are stable thanks to an agreement with Science Diet.

Director of Animal Services Mike Ledford said they've even been able to send excess food to tornado victims themselves.

The Hall County Animal Shelter also feeds 300 to 400 animals a day.