THIS IS THE STAGING OLYFED SITE. THIS IS NOT THE PROUDUCTION SITE!!

Community Giving

Pet Food Drive: Filling a Growing Need in Our Community

For the second year in a row, OlyFed is holding a pet food drive at each of our branches to help stock the food bank at Concern for Animals (CFA). OlyFedder, Alison Densley, who serves on the CFA Board of Directors, shares about the organization and the growing need in our community.

Dog with pet food

Concern for Animals is a 501C3 founded in 1980 in Olympia with a mission to “help those who cannot help themselves.” The work of CFA is unique. There are a lot of wonderful rescues that focus on finding amazing homes for animals in need, and we’re thankful for the work they do. CFA fills a few other important gaps.

The first is providing support for low-income pet owners who are in a position where they might not be able to keep their pets. We do this through our food bank, supporting senior pet owners and financial assistance for veterinary care. We also have what’s called a TNR program, which stands for “Trap, neuter, return.” This program helps to control feral pet populations, which can grow at truly alarming rates if not spayed or neutered.This also contributes to our small cat rescue, where we find homes for the kittens who come in with their moms as a part of that TNR program. Another other growing program is a partnership with SafePlace and Turning Pointe and provides individuals in need of entry into domestic violence transitional housing with assistance for getting necessary veterinary care so their pets can enter that housing with them.

Donation box for pet food drive at West Olympia branch
Westside branch; winner of our pet food drive display contest.

There has been a growing need in our communities for pet food assistance. That’s why we’re so grateful to OlyFed for hosting another pet food drive this year. In 2021, CFA gave out 12,738 pounds of dry dog food and 3,630 pounds of dry cat food. That doesn’t include wet food, litter, toys and other pet supplies distributed at our weekly food banks.  We are only at the beginning of September and have already given out 13,460 pounds of dry dog food and 4,250 pounds of dry cat food.

When my husband and I adopted our cat, Penny, from CFA in 2010, I learned about their mission and was really drawn to the organization. I attended a volunteer training with another OlyFed staff member, Angie Williams, in 2013 and when we brought back what we learned to the OlyFed team, they were excited to become regular supporters.

Thank you to the OlyFed employees and customers for the incredible support. Concern for Animals is lucky to have so many wonderful people in our corner.