ITHACA -- The Tompkins County SPCA has a full house of needy dogs and cats to feed every day but food supplies - especially canned food - are running low.
"I just checked in our stockroom," said SPCA staffer Liz Tuecke. "We could probably go for a couple more weeks before we run out completely."
Canned food isn't just a luxury for the cats and dogs at the SPCA. The 50 kittens in foster care need canned food to keep their weight up and some animals without teeth can't eat dry food.
SPCA medical staff need canned food to mix with medication sick animals need. It is very difficult to give most animals pills any other way.
"It's stressful for them, stressful for me, the chance they might get frustrated and you don't want them to bite you or get upset about it," said SPCA medical staff member Theresa Lilly. "So it's a lot easier to slap it or sprinkle it in some food. gobble it down and it's all done."
Some dry food is donated by pet food companies but the SPCA relies on the community to donate funds or canned food for the animals that need it.
Suzanne Lang heard that supplies were running low and dropped off a case of canned food Thursday morning.
"I have pets at home," said Lang. "This is a cause you want to give to - this is Christmas."
The SPCA is accepting donations of food and funds seven days a week at the center on Hanshaw Road and at their annex at the Ithaca Mall.
