FAIRHOPE, Ala. — As more and more families line up at food pantries, some furry members have been forgotten.

“The problem is growing,” said Sonja Presley, Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) Executive Director, explaining that as families lose resources to keep food on the table, they can’t feed their dogs or cats. Responsible owners surrender their animals to a shelter. Less fortunate pets are turned loose to roam.

“We want to establish a pet food pantry,” explained Presley. “This is not a pet food drive; this is something we want to do year round. We don’t want companion animals to go hungry.”

Presley added that members of BARC! have been working on this project for several months, and volunteers are needed to help with the program.

The main thing the pantry needs is donations.

“We’re asking the community to donate dog, cat, puppy or kitten food and cat litter,” said Presley . Food donations can be dry food or canned.

People are needed to pick up donations from the collection points and and bring them to Ecumenical Ministries in Fairhope and Foley and to Prosidee Pantry in Spanish Fort. Because the shelves at the pantries re small and space is limited, Presley says that 10-pound or smaller bags of food are preferred. However, if someone wishes to donate a larger bag of food, the volunteers will make room for it.

“We have seen people come through the store who tell us they can’t keep their pets,” said Brian Johnson, the owner of Robertsdale Feed Store, explaining why his store has become a drop-off point for the pet food pantry. His family has a number of pet animals, and he has seen how painful it is for a family to give up a cherished member.

Pet food pantry recipients, explained Presley, will have to meet he same guidelines as a family will for human food.

For more information on the program, go to baldwinhumane.org or call (251) 928-4585.

In addition to the food pantry’s permanent sites, there will be two “Stamps to the Rescue!” events in the area. Pet food was collected May 1 at the Fairhope Post Office and another event will be held May 15, 9 a.m. to noon at the Foley Post Office. The food drive is in conjunction with the sale of special stamps promoting animal adoption at the Post Office.