Butte’s Pets Need Your Help With Food Donations

During tough economic times, it's not only Butte's low income citizens that feel the pinch, but also their pets.  Lynette Hogart of the Butte Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter feels that no person or pet should go hungry and she's on a mission to help.

"People sometimes will feed their animals before they feed themselves," is what Hogart told us from the information and pet snack booth that she shared with her friend, Wyzowski, a regal, blue-eyed Husky who is looking for adoption.  The pair were at the Grand Opening of the new Tractor Supply Company on Harrison Avenue over the weekend and in addition to trying to find loving homes for the dogs and cats at the shelter, they were also on a mission to fight hunger.  Pet hunger, whose problem is amplified by the recent suspension of SNAP benefits.

"We're looking to collect dog and cat food for the Community Food Pantry," Hogart told us and said that she is working alongside Karen Maloughney of the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department and Stephanie Sorini of the Butte Chamber of Commerce.  Donations of dry dog and cat food will be accepted at the Chelsea Bailey Shelter at 609 Centennial, as well as at the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department on Front Street.  Those in need of pet food are welcome to come by the shelter on Centennial Avenue during operating hours which are currently Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11am until 4pm.  Hogart noted that all brands of dry pet food, even open bags, are accepted and kept seperate from the food that is given to the shelter animals.

For further information, please call Lynette Hogart at the shelter at 406-497-6528.