Lucas County Commissioners Pete Gerken and Lisa Sobecki joined Lucas County Canine Care and Control (LC4) to announce a new dog food pantry service for residents in need.
The county is launching the pantry in response to an increase of walk-in requests for dog food and resources at the shelter. LC4 staff also report seeing an increase in undernourished or emaciated dogs that come into Lucas County’s care.
The pantry opened its doors on June 23, and will be open to the public on the third Sunday of each month. Walkin requests for food will be accommodated when there is food available.
“We have been getting more and more phone calls and walk-in requests for assistance with food,” said LC4 Director Kelly Sears.
“We know that when dog food is no longer affordable, people either begin sharing their family’s food with their pets, under-feed their pets, or make the difficult decision to surrender their dog. If we can help people keep their beloved pets at home and out of shelters, we will.”
Commissioner Gerken said the new service is another way that LC4 is engaging with the community and helping dogs outside of the shelter and in their own homes.
“This is a resource that we’re happy to be able to offer. We now have an inhouse solution when we get calls from people asking for help,” he said.
The pantry is made possible through community donations. It is currently stocked with 4,800 pounds of food, thanks to resident donations and a large donation from dog food manufacturer, Ohio Pet Foods.
Commissioner Sobecki brought several bags of dog treats and food to donate to the pantry.
“I want to commend our LC4 staff for recognizing this need in our community and taking action,” she said. “In Lucas County, we take care of each other.”
LC4 will continue to accept donations of unopened dog food, both canned and dry, at the shelter at 410 South Erie Street, Toledo.
To use the pantry, participants must register with LC4 and provide information about their dog or dogs, including breed and size, so the shelter can provide an appropriate amount of dog food for the month.
Access the registration link at lucascountydogs. com/dog-food-pantry or call 419-213-2800 for more information or assistance.
If an individual or family utilizes the pantry for more than three consecutive months, LC4 will request proof of financial need. The list of acceptable documentation includes: Ohio Medicaid card; EBT or Ohio Direction Card for the supplemental nutrition assistance (SNAP) program; Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program card; housing choice voucher; letter from the veteran benefits administration acknowledging a service-related disability; benefit letter documenting supplemental security income or benefit letter documenting assistance from Social Security disability.
The pantry is intended to support personal pets, not rescues, breeders, or other largescale operations.
