Need help feeding pets during coronavirus? Paws Humane in Columbus has new resource
A temporary pet food pantry will open Saturday to help pet owners, organizations and animal rescues meet the nutritional needs of their furry friends during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
On Thursday afternoon, Paws Humane received more than 3,000 pounds of dog food and cat litter, almost 1,000 pounds of cat food, and other critical supplies through a donation from Greater Good and statewide coordination from the Atlanta Humane Society. Paws has partnered with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Georgia Animal Control Association and Georgia Department of Agriculture to open the pantry.
“COVID-19 has left so many people in desperate need of supplies and food,” said Tricia Montgomery, chief executive officer for Paws Humane Society. “They can’t take care of feeding themselves so we want to make sure that they can take care of feeding their animals.”
Montgomery said approximately 70% of the donated food will go people in need, and 30% is set to be distributed to animal rescues.
“We live in a very rural Georgia community that has been hurt hard by this and this will be a big help to us,” said Meliah McGregor from Last Chance Rescue in Meriwether County, Georgia.
McGregor said their rescue helps between 300 and 1,000 dogs per year.
“Without support of organizations like Paws, we absolutely would not survive without them,” she said.
Paws Humane Society is located at 4900 Milgen Road in Columbus. The pantry is open from noon until 2 p.m. to pet owners in need of food assistance. No appointment is necessary for pet owners.
The pantry will also be open from 10 a.m. to noon, and again from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. to animal shelters and organizations by appointment only. Organizations are asked to call (706) 987-8370 to inquire about an appointment. More information is also available on their website.
