A local volunteer group is asking the public’s help in feedingrescued pet

The Brookhaven Animal Rescue League is looking for dog and catfood donations to feed animals in their care in order to keep fromusing money designated for the spay and neuter program, as well asother shelter programs.

“For about the past six weeks we’ve gone from day to day, havingto go out and buy dog food each day,” said BARL volunteer BethAdcock. “Last week a group from Enterprise High School made a bigdonation and we’re so grateful. Unfortunately, we’ll be runningshort again in about two weeks.”

Adcock said the shelter used to have a donor in Meridian thatgave a great deal of the food that kept the shelter afloat, butthat Hurricane Katrina had disabled that supply.

She said BARL does fundraisers, but the money is usually used onintake costs, which are around $100 per animal. The pets, whenadopted, are already spayed or neutered, they are current on theirshots as well as having a clean bill of health from the vet, andhave an identifying microchip already embedded. These costs makefood donations extremely important to the operation of theshelter.

“We have to spend the money that we fundraiser on dog foodinstead of our spay/neuter program or instead of the intake of moreanimals,” said Adcock. “If we’re spending our general fund money ondog food, that’s fewer animals we take in.”

Adcock said in the past, donations have been strong, butpossibly as a result of the dog food recall, the supply coming inhas taken a real hit.

“In the past six to eight weeks it’s dried up to nothing,” shesaid. “But it’s not just our problem, it’s across the state.”

Some area businesses are able to donate broken and damaged bags,Adcock said.

“Wal-Mart in Hazlehurst donates broken bags, and thedistribution center will donate, but they’re spreading it betweenother shelters, too,” she said.

Adcock said BARL houses about 50 dogs and 25 cats at any giventime, and that spring is the worst time for having to turn awayanimals.

“That’s a lot of pet food, as you can imagine. With us beingno-kill, it’s important for people to adopt,” she said. “Because wecan’t take in an animal until one is adopted, and we have hundredswe turn away in the spring, with it being kitten and puppyseason.”

Of course, an easy way to help is to adopt a pet, Adcocksaid.

“We really push, first of all, spaying or neutering your animal,and secondly, adoption,” she said. “If not from us, there areshelters all over the nation that have homeless dogs and cats thatneed homes. Petfinder.com links to shelters all over the nation,and if there’s a particular kind of animal you’re looking for, itcan be found on that site.”

Dog and cat food donations can be made to BARL by bringing themto BARL’s facility at 501 North Park Drive off Industrial ParkDrive, dropping food off at the Country Fisherman, or by callingBARL at (601) 757-4367.