Video: Humane Society hurting for pet food donations

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BELLEVUE, Wash. - The rising cost of fuel and food and housing - it's all taking a toll on our four-legged friends. They're hurting for donations at the pet food bank at the Humane Society for Seattle/King County.

Nationally, many animal shelters have seen a surge in people giving up their pets because they can no longer afford them. Fortunately, we have not seen that trend here. This region is still doing better economically than many others.

What we have seen is a drop in pet food donations. In the long run, those donations help keep pets with their families.

"There are times that this warehouse is absolutely filling up and running over. That's not the case now," said Brenda Barnette, Humane Society for Seattle/King County.

The pet food bank at the Humane Society for Seattle/King County is running a little leaner these days.

"And this is the kitty bin. You can see we're a little shorter," said Barnette.

The donations come from companies and individuals. The food is then delivered for pets of low income residents, the elderly and people with HIV/AIDS.

"Because of the economy, costs are up, the price of gas is up. People don't seem to be buying the food and coming to drop it off for us," said Barnette.

The food bank is an important part of the shelter chain because if more people are able to keep their pets, fewer animals will end up here in search of homes.

"And the truth is if you look at this community, we have so many cats that need homes…What better way than to keep the ones who do have good, loving homes in those homes," said Barnette.

Some critics argue if a person can't afford a pet, they shouldn't have one. Shelter advocates say it's not that easy because pets are not just a luxury.

"Imagine a senior who is living alone, a widow or a widower, and that little dog is the only companion left in their life, that little dog that follows them from room to room," said Barnette. "It makes an incredible difference in the way that they feel about themselves and about life."

The pet food bank says it may have to look at doing remote food drives so it is more convenient for people to drop off pet food rather than burn fuel to drive to the Humane Society.