Anderson shelter’s food supply is back

Photo by Sefton Ipock

Steve Anderson of Pickens carries a bag of pet food from his car Tuesday March 4, 2008 to donate to the Anderson County Animal Shelter.

Photo by Sefton Ipock

Steve Anderson of Pickens carries a bag of pet food from his car Tuesday March 4, 2008 to donate to the Anderson County Animal Shelter.

Video

Bags and bags of food fill up the shelter's lobby as people stop by in the pouring rain to help out. Watch »

Photo by Sefton Ipock

Anderson County Animal Shelter employee Teresa McBride, left, helps Sheb Freeman of Anderson unload bags of pet food Tuesday from a car. Ms. Freeman was one of dozens of area residents who donated pet food to the shelter after Pedigree announced it would discontinue its donation program.

ANDERSON COUNTY — It seems a food crisis at the Anderson County Animal Shelter has been solved.

Officials with Mars Petcare U.S., which produces Pedigree pet food and has been the shelter’s main food supplier for five years, are going to continue donating food to the Anderson County shelter, said the spokeswoman for the company, Bertille Glass.

The decision was made after Mars Petcare officials, based in Brentwood, Tenn., noticed an article that was in Tuesday’s Anderson Independent-Mail, Ms. Glass said.

“There was a miscommunication and we will provide them with food donations during this transition period,” Ms. Glass said.

Currently, Mars Petcare officials are looking into the company’s nation-wide pet food donation program to see if any changes to be made, Ms. Glass said.

The officials with Mars Petcare weren’t the only ones to respond to the Independent-Mail article.

People lined up outside the Anderson County Animal Shelter all day Tuesday, dropping off food and other donated items for the dogs and cats inside, the shelter’s manager, Michelle Dodd said. Ms. Dodd said workers at the shelter collected about 100 bags of food Tuesday — all donated by concerned residents.

One family brought 25 bags of dog food and four bags of kitten food. Another person brought cages, collars and leashes, plus bags of food. The Fred Foundation of Anderson is donating $500 worth of food, the organization’s leader, Ronnie Cole said.

About five pages of signatures were taken from people who dropped off donations on Tuesday and Ms. Dodd said the shelter’s phones didn’t stop ringing the whole day.

“The community has been absolutely wonderful,” Ms. Dodd said. “It has been great to see how many people have come forward.”

Frank Smith of Anderson brought in several bags of cat, dog and puppy food, something he does “quite often,” but felt was definitely needed Tuesday.

“It’s just a dire need,” said Mr. Smith, who has a 4-year-old White German Shepherd he rescued. “I sort of have a soft spot for animals.”

Other shelter staff members were surprised that so many people responded.

Shelter worker Bonnie Wulff nearly cried while she was on the phone with a lady calling to find out what the shelter needed.

“She was talking about how she got the love of her life here,” Ms. Wulff said after she got off the phone, still dabbing tears in her eyes. “That’s how it’s been all morning.”

Now, Ms. Dodd said they can breathe a sigh of relief because of the decision by Mars Petcare.

“It’s a relief,” she said. “Now the scare is over.”

Anyone with questions can call the shelter at (864) 260-4444.