Seniors and the disabled get help feeding their pets

Volunteer food delivery program includes animals

In this Dec. 15 photo, Mary Birrell, volunteer and board of directors member of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, drops off cat food at a home in Tampa, Fla. "AniMeals," or Meals On Wheels for pets, is a monthly program where volunteers use their own cars and gas to deliver free dry cat or dog food to people who can't afford it, such as the homebound and the elderly. - photo by Associated Press

AniMeals on Wheels Ledb — In this Dec. 15 photo, Mary Birrell, volunteer and board of directors member of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, drops off cat food at a home in Tampa, Fla. "AniMeals," or Meals On Wheels for pets, is a monthly program where volunteers use their own cars and gas to deliver free dry cat or dog food to people who can't afford it, such as the homebound and the elderly. - photo by Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — If Meals on Wheels didn't deliver donated dog food, Sherry Scott of San Diego says her golden retriever Tootie would be eating the pasta, riblets and veggie wraps meant for her. But thanks to partnerships between the program for low-income seniors and pet groups across the country, fewer people and pets are going hungry. After Meals on Wheels volunteers noticed a growing number of clients giving their food away to their furry friends, they started working with shelters and other pet groups to add free pet food to their meal deliveries.

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