Photo: MSPCA-Angell
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Teams at MSPCA-Angell are working overtime to meet owners need for pet food following the loss of SNAP benefits amid the longest government shutdown in history.
Vehicles gathered in front of the MSPCA Angel Boston location Saturday, where crowds of people were standing alongside troves of bags of dog and cat food in hopes of getting some reprieve during a difficult time.
"Folks are just driving through, so we're checking in with people, where they're coming in from, have they gotten pet food from us before, have they been impacted by the SNAP benefits, Alyssa Krieger, director of MSPCA Angel Community Outreach, said. "So far, every single person who has come has had a reduction of their SNAP benefits and and is in extra need this month."
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Krieger says it's all about getting food into people's homes so their pets stay there with them during a time of uncertainty during the longest government shutdown in history.
"So, they're looking for a little bit of extra help with pet food this month, and we are stepping up to help them."
Each month, the MSPCA Angel distributes about 275,000 pet meals, but in order to meet demand, they need to increase that number by at least 20,000. The non-profit is calling for more pet food donations and money donations, so that they can purchase more food. The MSPCA is holding several emergency pop-up pet food pantries in Boston, Methuen, Centerville, Springfield and Salem.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Emma Friedman (@EmmaFriedmanWBZ) reports.