Pantry Helps Feed Four-Legged Friends

When Pamela Roberts lost her beloved bulldog, P.J., in 2009, she and her husband wanted to adopt another dog.

They went to the animal shelter and Roberts noticed that a lot of the animals there were people's pets. Residents had had to surrender them because of financial problems due to the economy.

If somebody loses their house and has to move into an apartment, they may not be able to take their pets, Roberts said. Many times, also, people simply can't afford pet food.

If people need free food when they are trying to make ends meet, they can go to a food pantry. Why not open a pantry for cats and dogs? Roberts said.

She began taking donations and buying food herself in March 2010. By May of that year, she had opened P.J.'s Pet Food Pantry.

Roberts runs the pantry, at 3060 Holly Springs Parkway, out of her family's business office. Look for the pink sign and garbage can in front of a white house.

The Alabama native says she is helping about 250 animals a month whose owners come on Tuesdays twice a month for free food. Roberts has flyers out in the community and says word of mouth may be her best advertising.

In the process of helping clients, Roberts said she has gotten caught up in helping them in other ways as well.

In a back room where the pet food is stored, there are piles of donated clothes and toiletries for clients. Roberts said they've assisted in paying people's rent and other bills too.

There are other Pet food pantries in the Atlanta area, Roberts said, but nothing in and around Cherokee County. She works with a veterinarian and the local shelter to help people get their animals spayed or neutered.

"If we don't do something about our pet population," she said, "it's never going to get any better."

Roberts says she screens people over the phone and certain requirements must be met to receive the food, which is donated or purchased by Roberts. Clients can get food twice a month for three months, Roberts said. Their status is then reviewed and they could receive assistance for up to six months.

It's only meant to be a temporary solution, Roberts said.

Wearing a charm bracelet with tiny bones and other pet-related trinkets, plus a paw print necklace, it's clear Roberts is a big animal person. She and her husband have eight rescue dogs of their own.

"I wanted to be a vet," Roberts said, "but I knew there was no way I could handle some of the stuff they do."

She says if her husband didn't stop her, she'd adopt every stray she meets.

When trying to get donations or financial assistance, Roberts said she often has people tell her they "do people, not pets." But what they don't realize, she said, is that by feeding a struggling family's pet, "you are helping people."

For assistance, or to help in any way, call 404-309-9123 or e-mail info@pjspetfoodpantry.org. You can visit the group's website at www.pjspetfoodpantry.org.