Vernon Pet Pantry Plans Oct. 17 Food Drive At Saxony Dog Park

VERNON, CT — A pet food collection to support local dogs and cats in need is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Saxony Dog Park, 66 West Road.

The drive is being sponsored by the Vernon Pet Pantry, which was established in October 2024 to help families struggling to provide food for their pets.

The Vernon Pet Pantry has collected and distributed more than 40,000 pounds of pet food since it was created. The pantry works in partnership with the Hockanum Valley Community Council, known as HVCC. Together, they provide wet and dry dog and cat food to hundreds of local families who visit HVCC each week for food assistance for themselves and their pets.

The need for help is growing as grocery prices continue to rise. organizers said.

Organizers are asking residents to bring wet or dry dog and cat food to Saxony Dog Park during the four-hour collection period.

"Every donation, large or small, can make a difference and help ensure that a local dog or cat does not go hungry," organizers said. "Every can, bag or box of food can help make the difference between a family pet going hungry and having a full bowl.”

The event is also tied to the two-year an anniversary pf the pet pantry.