Victoria Animal Control had to cancel its “Pet Pantry” on Friday, due to a lack of donations.
“The pantry was canceled again because there is no food,” said Delilah Perez, interim director of the Victoria County Public Health Department.
Since February 2016, Victoria Animal Control has given out donated pet food and supplies to the public through its Pet Pantry program, which switched from a daily to monthly program in October 2017.
On the first Friday of each month, as many as 30 people regularly visit the Pet Pantry to gather pet supplies for their furry friends, Perez said. The program is for Victoria County residents who need help providing for their pets and is available to the community free of change.
Walmart previously donated a large portion of the pantry’s supplies, Perez said.
Craig Kirkpatrick, the animal control division chief for the Victoria County Public Health Department, said he doesn’t know how many times the center has had to cancel the pet pantry, but donations have gone down since Walmart changed its policies.
“In the past, if they had a ripped bag or anything, we would have access to that bag,” he said. “Now, they take it back to the company and get reimbursed.”
Perez said she knows it is not Walmart’s job to assist with donations, but she would like to look into partnering with other businesses for consistent pantry donations in the future.
Donations from residents are, of course, encouraged.
