More than 40,000 pounds of free dog food arrived at Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas on Thursday morning. The food was donated through Rescue Bank operated by Greater Good.org, a non-profit organization that supports animal rescue and rehabilitation groups by providing services and supplies. The 20 tons of dry dog food will be distributed to non-profit rescue groups throughout Southern California beginning at 10 a.m. Friday.
RCHS spokesman John Van Zante said, “We’re honored when we get the opportunity to manage these giveaways for Rescue Bank and Greatergood.org. This donation of 40,185 pounds of Nutro Ultra Dry dog food will be distributed to registered, non-profit dog rescue groups. For many of them, the free food will allow them to shuffle money from their food budgets to cover other operating expenses.”
RCHS President Judi Sanzo said, “It’s difficult for rescues to pay full price for the food they need. With donations from Rescue Bank, they pay 0.20 cents per pound to cover the shipping cost, but the food is free. The money they save can be used for spay/neuter, veterinary services, and anything else they need to provide care until the pets are adopted.”
All of the donated food in this shipment is adult Nutro Ultra Dry. The 40,000 pounds will provide about 100,000 meals for dogs being cared for by registered rescue groups in San Diego and surrounding counties.
The pallets of food will be unloaded by fork lift near the RCHS Humane Education Center. It takes about an hour to unload. The goal is to have all of the food distributed within a few days to pre-approved rescue groups.
Sanzo said there are about 200 rescue groups in San Diego County: “All of its animals deserve proper nutrition. Greater Good.org and Rescue Bank trust Rancho Coastal Humane Society to carry out their intentions and help feed animals waiting to be adopted.”
Interested rescue groups need to contact RCHS as soon as possible to make an appointment for pick up.
For more information, call 760-753-6413, visit www.sdpets.org, or stop by Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza St., Encinitas. Shelter hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day but Tuesday.
