Posted: January 22, 2010, 3 a.m. EST
President and CEO Garth Merrick says his company has donated food to shelters "because more people were abandoning pets." |
As of Jan. 1, pet food manufacturer Merrick Pet Care has donated about 400,000 pounds of pet food to 16 no-kill shelters in the past several months as part of a more formalized effort to assist homeless animals.
President and CEO Garth Merrick said the Hereford, Texas-based company has always lent a hand to animals in need but, in light of the economic recession, opted to become more structured in its giving.
“Because more people were abandoning pets, the needs went up and that’s when we made it more of a formalized process,” he said.
Since March 2009, Merrick has shipped one truckload of food per month to shelters from California to Florida. Each truck carries 40,000 pounds of wet and dry pet food, which is distributed among the various shelters.
The company is targeting smaller, no-kill shelters that do not necessarily have the means to promote themselves and secure funding.
“Part of what we’ve been able to do is get local retailers to recommend shelters, because we couldn’t go to each shelter and see the conditions,” Merrick said.
After six months, the company reviews its commitment to determine if the shelters’ needs have changed.
“Merrick would like to do everything in our power to help the caring individuals that take it upon themselves to care for these abandoned animals,” Merrick said. “We are committed to making a real difference in the lives of these animals and will continue to do so as long as possible.”