Free Pet Food For Federal Employees At Baltimore Humane Society

REISTERSTOWN, MD — The Baltimore Humane Society and Safeway have partnered to help federal employees feed their pets during the government shutdown. The shelter in Reisterstown will provide a month’s supply of pet food to each person with a federal employee ID.

The food will be distributed through the Bmore Kind Pet Food Bank, which is located at the Baltimore Humane Society on Nicodemus Road.

The pet food bank started more than five years ago when people coming to the adoption center began asking for spare food for their pets. Since part of the no-kill shelter's mission is to end pet homelessness, it began the Bmore Kind Pet Food Bank to assist owners going through hard times.

Currently, about 90,000 Marylanders are experiencing just that, as they are either furloughed or working without pay during the government shutdown, according to Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot.

The partial federal government shutdown started on Friday, Dec. 21, as President Donald Trump and Congress battled over funding for a border wall with Mexico. Thousands of workers felt the pinch on Jan. 11 when they did not get paid for the first time since the shutdown began; many received a check on Dec. 28 from the last pay period.

"Even if some employees do eventually get repaid, our economy will not be made whole..." Franchot said in a statement this week. "The unnecessary shutdown of our federal government is having a devastating effect on Maryland’s families and our state’s economic well-being."

To help federal workers, Safeway donated $10,000 worth of its own brand dog and cat food to the Baltimore Humane Society.

Pet owners who need help may visit the Baltimore Humane Society during regular operating hours, which are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday – Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m on Monday.

Staff will portion out a month's worth of food per person with federal ID. Donated pet food will be available until supplies run out.

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The Baltimore Humane Society is a private non-profit animal shelter that does not receive any operational funding from the government or national humane societies.

"Without the generosity of businesses like Safeway and the community-at-large, the Bmore Kind Pet Food Bank could not exist, and the doors of the shelter would not be able to remain open," the Baltimore Humane Society said in a statement. "Baltimore Humane Society feels it’s the responsibility of all citizens to work together regardless of political affiliation. "

Those with questions about the pet food aid for federal workers can call 410-833-8848, extension 212. Pet food will be available later this week, the organization reported on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

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