With unemployment on the rise, the cost of feeding pets can become a financial burden too great to bear for some, and the Butler County Humane Society is stepping in to help.

“We just want to try and help out. We don’t want people to have to make the choice between providing food for their pet or giving their pet up or food for themselves,” said Jennifer DiCuccio, the society’s executive director.

DiCuccio said the effort to provide free cat and dog food started after the humane society heard reports that people temporarily were losing their jobs at businesses that have been mandated to close by Gov. Tom Wolf. Noting that many people might be living off less money, DiCuccio invites anyone who needs help to call the society at 724-789-1150 to arrange a food pickup. The society also wants to help pet owners who are veterans or disabled with this effort, called Full Bowls, Full Hearts.

Those interested can call between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to fill out a questionnaire about their needs. DiCuccio said that all social distancing protocols would be observed when people came to the humane society to pick up food.