In May, the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare received a generous donation of 38,880 cans of premium cat food. The donation, made possible by Birdie & Louie and coordinated through Best Friends Animal Society, was enough to fill a semi-truck.
Rather than keeping all the food for themselves, the SPCA decided to share it with other animal welfare groups and rescuers in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). They reached out to local shelters and community cat programs to help distribute nearly 10,000 pounds of food.
On May 27, the SPCA’s parking lot was filled with vans, trucks, and trailers as representatives from various organizations came to collect the food. Among those who participated were Aiken County Animal Shelter and Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS), Kitty Konnection, Humane Society of McCormick County, Hands to Paws, Friends of Felines, Dog & Cat Networking Agents, That’s What Friends Are For Inc., and local rescuers Wayne Heath and Jenn Kraus from Uprooted Vegan Cuisine.
By the end of the day, every can had found a new home. The donation came at a crucial time during kitten season, when shelters and rescues face a surge of litters, strays, and abandoned cats needing food, medical care, and shelter.
Birdie & Louie is a small, family-owned pet food company founded by Matthew Worthy. Inspired by his dog Birdie and his father’s cat Louie, the brand focuses on making premium, nutritious pet food accessible to everyday pet owners. Though primarily a retail brand, Birdie & Louie partners with organizations like Best Friends Animal Society to support shelters by providing much-needed resources.
Kitten season is especially challenging across the Southeast, with shelters overwhelmed by incoming animals. By sharing this donation with other rescues and caregivers, the SPCA Albrecht Center aims to ease the pressure on its own shelter and support the broader rescue community in the CSRA.
The initiative highlights the power of collaboration in animal welfare. By pooling resources, more animals receive care and support.
Related topics:
