MEOW launches holiday food drive for hungry pets

Christmas decorations dangling within an inch of our personal irony thresholds have been mandating holly jolly mood adjustments since October in many Seattle stores.

But, with record-high unemployment and the ongoing home foreclosure crisis, the sentiment to spend and indulge is almost unbearable for many of us around Seattle.

For pet owners, the impact may be even more significant. As if losing your home wasn’t bad enough, imagine losing your companion on top of that – a dog or cat that’s been with you through thick and thin? For many of us, a pet is truly a full-fledged family member, the loss of which can be excruciating.

Often, it doesn’t take much to keep pets in their homes – sometimes all that is needed is a little help with food.

That’s where MEOW Cat Rescue and Adoption’s AniMeals food drive comes in. Simply bring unopened canned or dry food (dog or cat) to MEOW, 10600 NE 68th, Suite F, Kirkland, WA 98033. Donations will be distributed through Hopelink in Kirkland. Last year more than 1,000 pounds of pet food were collected. But times are even tougher this year and the needs are greater in many households.

In the market for a friendly fur ball? MEOW is also reducing adoption fees by $20 for the rest of 2009 when you bring in a case of canned food or an unopened bag of dry food (cat or dog food). So, why not surprise someone special with a pair of cuddly kittens for Hanukkah, Kwanza or Christmas?

If you’re having trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year, try to focus on helping those less fortunate and finding a home for furry friends who don’t have families! Who knows, the resulting high may even put you in the mood for a round of Bellevue Square parking lot roulette!