Thanks to a national grant, local pets will continue to be fed.

The Habersham County Senior Center received a $1,000 grant for the third year under the We All Love Our Pets program to feed senior citizens’ pets through the Meals on Wheels Association of America.

"Many of our seniors are at or below the poverty level, and with the downturn of the economy and rising prices of groceries, seniors are feeling the pinch," said Teri Lewis, program coordinator of the center. "Studies show that people who have pets have longer and healthier lives. Our goal is to keep seniors independent in their homes, so we want to feed their pets, too."

The grant allows the center to partner with Banfield Pet Hospital of Flowery Branch and Forever Friends Animal Sanctuary to serve 41 clients and 56 pets throughout the year.

"We know our clients well, are in their homes, and deliver to those who have pets and need food on a rotation," she said.

The Hall County Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels program teams with the Humane Society of Hall County to provide food for pets.

"A survey found that some pet owners were giving a portion of their meal to their animals when it should be going to the individual," said Gwen Trimmer, community resource director of the Humane Society.

"We also allow seniors to receive help with free spay and neuter for their animals."

Each Wednesday, Carolyn Layfield volunteers to fill about 20 buckets of food at the Humane Society and transport them back to the senior center to be delivered with meals.

"I worked out an application where clients can say if they have pets and need help, who their vet is, and if the pets are spayed or neutered," she said. "I bring a bucket once a month, which holds about 7 pounds of food and can feed a small or medium dog or a cat for that long."

Layfield staggers the 72 clients throughout the month and works with the Humane Society regularly.

"What really makes it work in Hall County is that one person keeps up with the bucket fill-ups so all the volunteers can deliver to the clients," she said.

For Victoria Powell, a Meals on Wheels client on Airport Road, the pet food delivery makes a difference.

"I’ve been receiving cat food for three years now, and it saves me money so I can take better care of the cats with vet bills," she said. "It’s good, dry cat food and keeps them in good health."

With two indoor cats and three outdoor cats, the food "helps out a lot."

"They really seem to enjoy it, and the bucket is enough to feed them," she said. "My cats are good mousers and get rid of rats, so I think they help the community, too."