Groton Group Creates Animal Food Pantry

At the F.A.M.I.L.Y. Kitchen in Groton, Director Mary Chapman Howland sees a lot of the same faces for dinner every Monday, including a woman who looks to be about 80.

She’s never mentioned a pet.

But about two weeks ago, Howland told her about something new at the kitchen - a food pantry for pets – organized by the kitchen and the Groton Animal Foundation in cooperation with Groton Animal Control.

Howland said the woman nearly cried. Her only companion is a cat she has not been able to buy food for.

“It just about broke my heart,” Howland said. “This woman said, ‘I’ve been feeding my cat rice.’”

The pet food pantry, called the “Groton Animal Pantry” is about two weeks old.

Heather Picazio, vice president of the Groton Animal Foundation, said the group wanted to help owners keep their pets if at all possible.

 “A lot of people have had to give up their pets because they can’t afford to feed them, or they’ve gotten evicted because they cannot afford their rent,” she said.

In the last month, Groton Animal Control Officer Donna Duso has taken in 12 cats from owners who have been evicted.

Picazio said she was introduced about two weeks ago to Howland, who directs the kitchen dinners that serve 55 to 70 people every Monday at Faith Lutheran Church.

Picazio has been working with Pet Supplies Plus on Long Hill Road, and the store has offered to put out a donation bin for the Groton Animal Pantry. She also plans to reach out to Petco. 

Donations are arriving mostly at the Groton Animal Control facility. Each Monday, volunteers pick it up and bring to the pantry.

The group collected about 140 pounds of pet food brought to Groton Animal Control the first week, including 12 bags of dog and cat food and 26 cans of dog food.

“What we’re hoping with this is that by providing some temporary relief, people can pick up some dog and cat food and get through the hard times,” Duso said.

Food or pet supplies may be dropped off at Groton Animal Control from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week.

To make a financial donation, checks may be sent to the Groton Animal Foundation, PO Box 7023, Groton, CT, 06340. Donors should specify on the check that it is for the GAP (Groton Animal Pantry).