"Thanks to community efforts and help from the media food has ben arriving, but we are not quite where we need to be for the next distribution event," announced Debbie Fields who heads up the First Coast No More Homeless Pets Pet Food Bank  in Jacksonville.

Hundreds of people lined up on Saturday, April 10, when the organization distributed over 12 ½ tons of pet food for over 1,000 pets from families in need. Some of the guardians were out of work, others affected by the bad economy, but now they can rest easy for the next month, knowing that their beloved companion animals will not go hungry. Additionally, fewer mouths will need to be fed in the future, as the guardians must agree to have their pets spayed or neutered to be eligible for the free food.

However, the demand was significantly greater than expected, and the fledgling pet food bank put out a call  last month for 15,000 of needed food.  

“The residents of Jacksonville have shown tremendous support for our efforts and we are certain that if the need is exposed, the public will step up to help,” says Fields, explaining that they are still about 5,000 lbs. short of anticipated need.

How you can help:

► Donate pet food to their facility between 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Monday through Saturday:

First Coast No More Homeless Pets
6817 Norwood Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32208
(map to location)

Pick-up arrangements can be made for large pet food donations.

Cash donations can also be made online.

► Host a pet food drive for the First Coast No More Homeless Pets Pet Food Bank. Download the First Home Forever Home campaign Four Legged Food Drive Action Kit for instructions on how to organize a pet food drive in your community.

► Register and vote daily online for the First Coast No More Homeless Pets Pet Food Bank in the Pepsi Refresh contest. They are currently in 16th place. If they are among the top 10 entrants, they win $25,000, which could help to feed many pets.

► For more information about First Coast No More Homeless Pets and how you can support programs like the Pet Food Bank, visit www.jaxpetfoodbank.org, see their group on Network Charities or call (904) 520-7903.

See local news coverage from the April 10 pet food distribution here.

Photo of dog by Jennifer Hayes

Photo of food bank courtesy of First Coast No More Homeless Pets