Lee County Animal Services is desperate need of cat and dog food.
Spokeswoman Ria Brown said the shelves of their pet pantry are literally bare, with as few as 12 bags remaining earlier this week.
Brown said some food has trickled in, but the need is still great.
“Some food has come in but this is an ongoing need,” Brown said. “We certainly hope people continue to donate.”
Through the Community Pet Pantry, Lee County Animal Services distributes pet food and supplies to owners who would need to surrender their pets to shelters due to their inability to provide food and care.
Animals Services also is currently providing food for more than 800 pets directly and also helping several low-income neighborhoods supply pet food for their residents’ pets.
While Brown didn’t know the exact amount of food used each month, she estimated that it’s in the thousands.
People can donate all hours of the day just by leaving food at Animal Service’s door. An overhang prevents any of the food from getting wet, and staff retrieves it in the morning.
Anyone who can assist can bring donations to the shelter at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, next to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office off Six Mile Cypress Pkwy.
Brown said that Animal Services is always in need of food, though the current crises is more severe than the average need.
As the community has responded in the days following the announcement that food is desperately needed, Brown said the need is more prevalent than ever.
“It’s an ongoing thing … if we don’t get a steady supply of food, it just goes so quickly.”