One of my great joys in life is being a pet owner. Our family pet is our bulldog Apollo. Apollo brings joy and unconditional love to our house every day. He keeps me active with our walks and runs and is always ready for a new adventure.
In fact, he is probably the best mental health support I have.
Pets, like food, are love! But these days in San Antonio we have a problem,
which is why I am personally asking for your help. Our city needs heroes right now, not for a hurricane or a pandemic, but to help keep pets and families together.
My heart is breaking with the knowledge that families in San Antonio are surrendering pets at record rates. The pandemic saw a surge in pet adoptions, and now on the backside of the pandemic we are seeing pets being abandoned at rates never seen before in San Antonio.
You might not know it, but your San Antonio Food Bank served more than 60,000 pets in the last year, providing dogs and cats with emergency food (just like we do for their two-legged owners). Our efforts, along with support from our great community, helped keep families together. Seniors did not have to surrender their only companion, and kids were able to keep their beloved pet in their home.
Currently, the Food Bank finds itself upside down on funds for pet food. Need has dramatically outpaced food and funds for pet nutrition, which is why I am writing you today. We have rarely had to ask for help with our pet food program, prioritizing human food over pet food, but today I am seeking your urgent support.
Would you make a lifesaving gift today to keep pets and families together? Like our normal efficiencies, every $1 provides 10 lbs. of pet food. Imagine providing a 40 lb. bag of dry pet food for only $4.00. How many bags can you provide today?
Pawsitively grateful,
Eric S. Cooper
President & CEO
