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Cathy McInturff started the Nibble sand Kibbles pet food pantry in August to help people keep their pets by providing free pet food to those in need.
(Brian Bishop / Johnson City Press)

Local Nibbles and Kibbles pantry feeding pets in need

By Brian Bishop
Press Staff Writer
bbishop@johnsoncitypress.comCathy McInturff started the Nibble sand Kibbles

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The winter months are harder on all of us, especially those in need of basics like food. Our four-legged friends are no exception, according to local businesswoman Cathy McInturff, who is owner of “Everything Under One Woof” located downtown. McInturff is the driving force behind our region’s newest food pantry, and it’s one of a kind.

“I just kept seeing the prices of pet food sky-rocketing and just getting out of control,” McInturff said. “People’s jobs are being cut and hours are being cut so people were releasing their animals to the animal shelter because they couldn’t afford to keep them at home. One of the main concerns is being able to feed them.”

“Due to the economy, a lot of people are having a hard time feeding their pets,” Washington County Animal Shelter Director Debbie Dobbs said. “We would much rather have a place like the food pantry for dogs and cats rather than having to turn them in. They come here and ask us for food and, if we have it, we will give it to them. But we have to use what we get here.”

Because of the growing need she saw on a daily basis, McInturff came up with the idea for Nibbles and Kibbles food pantry. The pantry started in August and is currently in the application process to receive nonprofit status. The pet food is collected at McInturff’s store for now and kept in a storage area until it is sent out through Good Samaritan Ministries and Meals on Wheels. The animals get fed thanks to the program but McInturff says the benefits go far beyond feeding dogs and cats.

“We see the elderly not eat food or they won’t get their prescriptions filled so they can feed their pets and we don’t want that to happen,” McInturff said. “If we can supply the food for them, then we can meet that need and they can get their medicines filled and that makes it good for everybody.”

McInturff is still trying to build a name for Nibbles and Kibbles and familiarize the community with what the animal food pantry is all about. Organizations like the animal shelter are already familiar with the pantry as well as the volunteers who are involved.

“This group of volunteers have always been big supporters of our shelter,” Debbie Dobbs said. “We know all of them and most of them have donated, not only funds, but food and time to the animal shelter. I think it’s a very good idea. They are trying to help people keep their pets and that is very important to us because if they don’t keep their pets, we end up with them here at the animal shelter, trying to find them homes. Only 50 percent of those get homes.”

Donations for Nibbles and Kibbles animal food pantry can be dropped off at “Everything under one Woof” located at 318 West Main St.