In a tough economy some people don't have enough money to care for their pets so the city of Fayetteville is trying to help put by opening up a Pet Food Bank.
Fayetteville is one of only a handful of cities in the state to start such a program. It works just like a regular food bank, only it's for pet owners who are having a difficult time financially.
"We've had situations where we've had families lose jobs, say 'I can't keep my pet anymore, I wish I could but he needs a home,'" said Yolanda Fields, Community Services Director.
Fields says people are dropping their pets off at shelters on a regular basis just because they can't afford to feed them.
"It could be nice to help them keep those pets if they can, help for a month, keep them going, maybe that will make the difference," said Fields.
Depending on what kind of pets and how many, feeding them can be like paying an extra utility bill. Adam Macfarlane pays $60 to $70 a month for dog food for his two dogs.
Flint Adams has three cats at his house. He says a Pet Food Bank would help his household out a lot when it comes to the monthly budget. "It's always part of the grocery list, when you go to the store there is cat food on there, that's what knocks the bills up at the cash register," said Adams.
In order to make the food bank work the city is relying on donations from the public. The city says there are too many animal lovers in Fayetteville for the program not to work.
"We don't have children or anything, but they are kind of like our children, part of the family," said Adams about his cats.
In order to participate in the program you have to register and meet the proper criteria, which the city is still in the process of determining. The Fayetteville Pet Food Bank officially kicks off May 1.
The city is accepting donations. They can be dropped off at any Fayetteville fire station.
Fayetteville is one of only a handful of cities in the state to start such a program. It works just like a regular food bank, only it's for pet owners who are having a difficult time financially.
"We've had situations where we've had families lose jobs, say 'I can't keep my pet anymore, I wish I could but he needs a home,'" said Yolanda Fields, Community Services Director.
Fields says people are dropping their pets off at shelters on a regular basis just because they can't afford to feed them.
"It could be nice to help them keep those pets if they can, help for a month, keep them going, maybe that will make the difference," said Fields.
Depending on what kind of pets and how many, feeding them can be like paying an extra utility bill. Adam Macfarlane pays $60 to $70 a month for dog food for his two dogs.
Flint Adams has three cats at his house. He says a Pet Food Bank would help his household out a lot when it comes to the monthly budget. "It's always part of the grocery list, when you go to the store there is cat food on there, that's what knocks the bills up at the cash register," said Adams.
In order to make the food bank work the city is relying on donations from the public. The city says there are too many animal lovers in Fayetteville for the program not to work.
"We don't have children or anything, but they are kind of like our children, part of the family," said Adams about his cats.
In order to participate in the program you have to register and meet the proper criteria, which the city is still in the process of determining. The Fayetteville Pet Food Bank officially kicks off May 1.
The city is accepting donations. They can be dropped off at any Fayetteville fire station.
