A number of the shelters are recommending an alternative approach to those unable to adopt an abandoned animal in an effort to reduce the number of dogs and cats entering the shelters.

In these difficult time the rising cost of food and the slowing economy have forced a number of people to obtain for food at food banks rather than through grocery chains. When these people are unable to afford food for themselves, the pets take a back seat. The shelters are requesting that donations  be made to the food banks in the form of dog/cat food or other pet supplies. Hopefully it will reduce or eliminate the need to abandon a pet, and take the pressure off the shelters. Operators of the shelters have indicated that reducing the number of entries would slow the need for euthanizations until the animals can be adopted.

The movement appears to have started in California, but has caught on in several other sates, including Connecticut.