The County's Animal Services Department is working with Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM) to collect cans of pet food for pet owners in need this holiday season. Animal Services will collect the donated pet food and OCIM will assist with the distribution.

Pets are part of our homes and families, yet our bonds with them are far too easily sundered by the stresses and strains of our economy. The result may well be a pet whose care is less than ideal - or one who may have to be surrendered to a local animal shelter by a human companion with limited means.

Canned dog or cat food can be donated at Orange County's Animal Services Center at 1601 Eubanks Drive, Chapel Hill, through Saturday during regular business hours. Anyone donating four or more cans of pet food will receive a voucher for a free Picture with Santa on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. p.m. at the Animal Services Center. Donations will also be accepted on Sunday during that time.

This inaugural pet food drive with OCIM relates closely to Animal Services' seasonal Home for the Holidays. The difference is that the pet food drive may help keep some pets in their homes rather than seeking to re-home them as we do with shelter animals during Home for the Holidays. But what the two programs share is a fundamental commitment to sustaining our deep bond with cats and dogs, among other animal companions, and keeping them healthy and homebound.

Robert A. Marotto

Animal services director

Orange County Animal Services