Pet food pantry aids Lake County pet owners

GRAYSLAKE – After the Pooch Pantry that ran out of the Lake County Animal Control Center closed its doors last summer, some pet owners have found themselves without access to food for their dogs and cats.

Since then, Sandy Wisniewski, founder of the Libertyville-based Animal Education & Rescue organization has gotten phone calls from people wanting to donate and those in need of donations.
So, she decided to step in and help.

“I saw there was a real need for [a pet food pantry],” Wisniewski said.

She reached out to her network of animal lovers through Facebook, asking if anyone was interested in housing a new pet food pantry for Lake County residents.

She didn’t have to wait long for her answer.

“Within five minutes, I got a call from Kevin and after that response it all just kind of happened,” Wisniewski said.

"Kevin" is Kevin Bloss of Grayslake. He and his wife, Laura, own Central Bark Doggy Day Care.

Knowing they had the space in a shed at the day care center, they agreed to house Lake County’s new pet food pantry.

The pantry began to service the community at the Central Bark Doggy Day Care on Jan. 4.

Since then, no one has been turned away for lack of donations.

“We have been pretty well-stocked,” Wisniewski said. “It’s been an outpouring of support from the community.”

Donations of unopened cat and dog food (and cat litter) can be dropped off between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Central Bark Doggy Day Care, 256 Commerce Drive, in Grayslake.

Lake County residents can visit the food pantry from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Proof of low income (approval is on a case-by-case basis), number/type of animals in the household and a driver’s license or photo ID is needed to receive donations.

For more information on food pantry assistance, call Sandy Wisniewski at Animal Education and Rescue at 847-816-0831 or visit www.aear.org.