'TIS THE SEASON. The Chippewa Valley Cat Club is hosting its annual Pet Food Drive to benefit all types of animals, not just cats, again this year. (Photo via Unsplash)

Help pets in need this holiday season locally. From Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, the Chippewa Valley Cat Club is hosting its annual Pet Food Drive of 12 years. Donations of all kinds for pets can be dropped off at these locations: Barks and Recreation, emBark, Pet Food Plus, The Ark, Tropic Waters Pet Center, Your Dog’s Gym, and the major animal hospitals throughout the Chippewa Valley. 

“Our purpose is to try to keep fewer pets from being surrendered to shelters and not being able to afford to feed them is one of the reasons,” said Carol Larson, president of  club.

Though the Pet Food Drive prioritizes food donation – from cat to dog to bird to rabbit to hamster food – toys, litter, and other pet supplies, and monetary donations are all accepted as well.

The club collects the donations from the above locations to be given to the St. Francis Food Pantry, their long-time partner in the annual drive, who then distributes them to families receiving their own food donations from the pantry who also have a pet in need of a meal.

“We just want to try and alleviate some of the burden on people who are having difficulties taking care of their animals,” Larson said.

If you have leftover food that your pet doesn’t want anymore or wish to provide some support to furry family members, stop by one of the CV Cat Club’s Pet Food Drive bins beginning Nov. 1.

You can learn more about the Chippewa Valley Cat Club and their other charitable pet acts on their Facebook page.