Pet food pantry serves local pet owners
by Josh Mancuso
Kathy McInturff displays her Nibbles & Kibbles Pet Food Pantry. (Staff photo by Josh Mancuso)
The last couple years has seen an increase in the animal population at local
animal shelters and Kathy McInturff thinks it is due to the plight of the
American economy. McInturff believes some people are financially unable to take
care of their pets, so they are giving them up to local shelters. In an effort
to help pet owners, McInturff started Nibbles
& Kibbles Pet Food Pantry in August, 2009.
“There are many people on fixed incomes or people who have lost their jobs and
they can
’t afford to feed their animals,” said McInturff. “We knew people were struggling and this was the best way we could think of to
help. Rather than pet owners taking their pet to a shelter, we provide them
with dog and cat food.
”
McInturff owns Everything Under One Woof, 318 East Main Street, a pet store in
downtown Johnson City, which also serves as a location for the pet food pantry.
Nibbles
& Kibbles has partnered with Good Samaritan, and pet food is also available at
their location at 100 North Roan Street. Meals On Wheels has also joined the
cause, and they help by picking up pet food at the pantry and delivering it to
shut-ins. Pet owners must complete an application that demonstrates a
legitimate need before receiving food.
“We’ve had a good response and I estimate we have served around 100 people,” said McInturff. “But, I’m very concerned about seniors because a pet may be all they have, and having to
give it up would be terrible.
”
Most of the pet food is donated or purchased with monetary donations. Nibbles & Kibbles provides dog and cat food, but they are currently low on dog food. They
prefer dry food rather than canned. McInturff is putting out collection bins
during First Friday events in downtown and is planning two major fundraisers
for 2010. She is applying for non-profit status and also anticipates expanding
the mission of Nibbles
& Kibbles to other areas of the Tri-Cities. Donations may be taken to Everything
Under One Woof or Good Samaritan.
