Presents For Pets: Maryland SPCA Calls On The Community To Donate Treats

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—If you love animals, there's a way to help them as we near the end of the year. It's called Presents for Pets.

Ron Matz reports on the effort by the Maryland SPCA to help homeless cats and dogs in Baltimore.

The homeless dogs and cats at the Maryland SPCA need your help.

Presents for Pets started Dec. 1, providing animals at the shelter with toys and treats during the holidays and beyond.

"This is a promotion that we do every year. We ask the community to bring in toys, treats and food, which we use to provide our animals safety and comfort all year long," said Katie Flory, Maryland SPCA.

The community responds in a big way. The toys reduce stress for the animals in the shelter environment.

"This is a really awesome shelter, but it's still a very scary environment for any animal to come into, so if we can provide them with treats and toys that fear will decrease and they'll be a lot more comfortable while they're here with us," Flory said.

They're also collecting pet food that will be delivered by Meals on Wheels to pet owners who are unable to leave their homes.

"They can bring food too. We have a program called Kibble Connection. We partner with Meals On Wheels and a group called CCSD. We ask the community to bring in food. We then give it to CCSD. They separate it out and then gives it to Meals on Wheels. They deliver it to clients that are unable to get out to get food for themselves or food for their pets. It's a wonderful partnership," Flory said.

The adoption center is open too. The shelter is overflowing.

It's a great time to adopt. A dog like Huckleberry would love to find a good home.

"The community is awesome. They really understand the need to help the many homeless pets out there," Flory said.

The Maryland SPCA's Falls Road shelter will be open this weekend as will their new satellite location in the White Marsh Mall.

Other Local News: