By William Scott

Correspondent

Pet owners in Suffolk may have hit hard times during this period of economic recovery, and some animal lovers may be finding themselves wondering how they can afford feeding their dog or cat.

The Suffolk Humane Society has come up with a way to help out.

On Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. until noon, Suffolk Humane will host a Pet Pantry at its office at 4300 Nansemond Parkway. Six volunteers will give away bags of dog and cat food to those who are in need. Other pet supplies such as leashes, bowls and toys will also be available.

Supplies are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Kay Hurley, director of community outreach at Suffolk Humane.

“We know that many people are having a challenging time making ends meet, and we want to help them provide for their pets,” said Michele Thames, executive director of Suffolk Humane.

Those who come to the Pet Pantry will need to submit information on how many pets they own and what breed of pet they own to determine how much food they are given. Visitors also have the option to submit their email address to receive Suffolk Humane Society newsletters.

Hurley estimates the facility has several hundred pounds of food ready for the event.

The food was acquired through donations by nearby stores such as Walmart and PetSmart, according to Hurley. If a bag of pet food is torn or damaged in a way that makes it impossible to sell, retailers sometimes donate it to the Humane Society.

“It’s more than just pet food,” Hurley said. “If you are going to adopt, then you need to make sure you can afford it.”

The Suffolk Humane Society is a non-profit organization that works to educate people on pet safety and ensure animals for adoption receive loving homes. The facility relies on donations and volunteers to fund its endeavors.

For more information on the Suffolk Humane Society or to donate call 538-3030 or email info@suffolkhumanesociety.com.