'Catsgiving' Campaign Aims To Collect 200K Kitty Meals In MA

SALEM, MA — The Northeast Animal Shelter and MSPCA-Angell's Community Outreach team want to remind Massachusetts residents that kitties deserve a happy holiday season full of tasty treats too.

That's why they are looking to collect more than 200,000 pet meals for "Catsgiving" by the end of the month.

MSCPCA-Angell has already distributed more than 400,000 pet meals to owners in need this year, but with supplies dwindling and the effects of inflation, they are looking to collect another 50 percent of their yearly donation supply in the next week alone.

Through Nov. 30, the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem and MSCPA locations in Boston, Methuen, and Cape Cod will collect the items for distribution throughout December. They are asking for donations of wet or dry cat food with opened bags of dry cat food accepted.

"One of the most rewarding things we do is not only help people find the right pets for their families but also keep those pets safe and happy at home even when times are tough," MSPCA Associated Director of Community Outreach explained Alyssa Krieger said. "We host pop-ups and other events to give pet food to people in need and also work with 60 food pantries across the state.

"We're really hoping this food drive will sustain those efforts through the end of the year. For that to happen, we need to collect about 200,000 cat meals."

Donation bins are set up outside MSPCA Adoption Centers in Boston, Methuen, and Cape Cod, as well as the NEAS in Salem. Those who are not near a shelter but still want to donate to kitties and cats in need can do so here and the food will be delivered directly to the shelters.

"With inflation soaring this year, our cat food donations have slowed, at a time when more people are coming to us for help," Krieger said. "We've been holding Catsgiving food drives for close to a decade, but the need is definitely greatest this year."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)