Pet Pantry of Lancaster County

Pet Pantry of Lancaster County Empowering animals to thrive by listening and responding to their unspoken needs. Since then, the organization has undergone many changes and growth.
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In 2011 the formation of the Pet Pantry of Lancaster County began with a meeting of the three founders at a corner table of a local café. Those three individuals along with countless other volunteers and staff have helped the Pet Pantry become the leading animal welfare organization it is today by uplifting their mission of empowering animals to thrive by listening and responding to their upspoke

n needs. At the time of formation, many community members were struggling. The economic downturn had led folks to make the heartbreaking decision to surrender their beloved pet solely because they were experiencing hardship and could not provide food for their pets. Others were forced to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pets. Still, others were selling off all their possessions to be able to provide their pets with food. There had to be a way to help these caring families and prevent these animals from leaving their loving homes and ending up in the shelter system. Thus, The Pet Pantry of Lancaster County was created. Starting out small, in the living room of one of the founders, the team went to work collecting pet food donations from generous community members and portioning out that food to those in need. They started by feeding the pets of just 12 families. Soon, as word about our program spread, they quickly were overwhelmed with the need and had to move to a bigger location to accommodate the food donations and portioning out that was needed. So it was on to the founder's garage. Using both the garage and a few storage units, the team was able to steadily increase the number of families served. Holding monthly food handouts in the parking lot of the storage unit facility, they quickly jumped from helping 50, then 100, then 150 families in need -- receive food for their pets. Eventually, the team was able to move their entire food storage and sorting operation to the storage unit facility. The community's need for nutritious, reliable pet food support continued to grow and after a while, it was obvious to the team that they would need even more space. Through working with a local business the team was able to acquire warehouse space to both store food and distribute pet food. It was at this point in time, in 2013, that they realized there was a need for other animal welfare services in the community. One of those being health care and wellness resources for family pets. The Pantry founded a veterinary program to provide more in-depth education to help keep pets healthy by reducing pet overpopulation concerns through Lower-cost Spay/Neuter and feral cat Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) programs. With the intention of removing barriers to accessing exceptional veterinary care, the team provides lifesaving procedures to community members without the high cost of a private practice veterinary. With the addition of these services, a larger more visible location was needed. In May of 2014, the Pet Pantry moved yet again to its current location on Millersville Road in Lancaster. There the team finally had the space needed to really expand programs and bring the final piece of the "puzzle of need" together, rescue. The team came to realize that while they were doing all they could to keep animals where they belonged -- in their loving homes -- there were animals out there that needed a second chance to find their forever home. Reasons for animal surrender vary and the team identified there was a way to provide a better solution to antiquated, stressful sheltering environments. Focusing mostly on cats, as at that time this is where the need for care was greatest, the Pantry formed its own rescue within the Millersville Road location. It was also around this time that they realized there was a need for fundamental veterinary care for animals that were being cared for by other rescues. These rescues were smaller in scale and could not afford standard private practice veterinary costs to spay/neuter and treat some of the medical problems that they encountered in their own rescue dogs. Often these rescues were taking on severe medical cases, these rescues needed a tested and true partner to help care for the medical need of these special animals. Again, the Pet Pantry stepped up and created the "Rescue Wednesday" program where local rescues could bring their animals to the Millersville Road location for spay/neuter services and other veterinary needs. This collaboration allowed the partner rescues to help even more animals each year. The team is proud to have built these relationships with their partner rescues and to date, they work with over 10 local rescues consistently. In January of 2017 the Pet Pantry merged with one of it's most valued partner rescues, Lost Paws of Lancaster. This merger allowed the team to create an even greater impact through other adoption locations and provided more second chances to animals in need. We truly appreciate the trust Lost Paws of Lancaster placed in the operation capabilities of the Pet Pantry team. Following ten significant years, today, the Pet Pantry has grown into an organization that is rooted in the community and dedicated to empowering animals to thrive by listening and responding to their upspoken needs. The team is very proud to focus care, funding, and support on the Lancaster community. That is where the need is and that is where the team of the Pet Pantry has dedicated their hearts and hard work. Averaging over 400 adoptions a year, 1,000 feral cat TNR surgeries a year, 70,000+ pounds of dry dog/cat food given out a year, 150+ families helped a year, over $250,000 in veterinary care a year to those in need, and 50+ life saving veterinary procedures a year for animals with nowhere else to turn to for help, the Pet Pantry truly has become the animal welfare organization in Lancaster County that is there to uplift families and their pets here in Lancaster County. The Pet Pantry of Lancaster County has existed and will continue to exist because of your support for animals in need. With your help we can continue to be a voice for the voiceless.

We are holding two vaccines clinics in the month of February.Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling o...
01/08/2025

We are holding two vaccines clinics in the month of February.

Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling our office at 717-983-8878. Or online at https://petpantrylc.org/appointments/.

Services available:
- Rabies $25.00
- DHPP (Canine Distemper) $25.00
- Bordetella $25.00
- Lyme $32.00
- FVRCP (Feline Distemper) $25.00
- Home Again Microchip $26.50 (includes registration)

NOTE: Some vaccines require boosters to be effective. Please be sure to check with your primary veterinary or ask our veterinary team if you have any questions.

Please be safe if you need to travel on Monday.
01/05/2025

Please be safe if you need to travel on Monday.

01/05/2025

Thank you to everyone who chose to adopt their new family member from Pet Pantry during 2024.

We are happy to share our final adoptions of 2024. These kitties were blessed to begin 2025 in their new forever homes. ...
01/03/2025

We are happy to share our final adoptions of 2024. These kitties were blessed to begin 2025 in their new forever homes. Congratulations to Twix, Squeakers, Snickers, Ruth, Juan, Darla, and Calliope.

Thank you to those who chose to adopt (not shop) and found their new furry family member at Pet Pantry.

Pet Pantry wishes you a very Happy New Year. We will be closed today so our staff and volunteers can spend the day with ...
01/01/2025

Pet Pantry wishes you a very Happy New Year.

We will be closed today so our staff and volunteers can spend the day with their families. Normal operating hours will resume on January 2nd.

More wonderful forever homes! Can you hear them all singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas"?Congratulations to Tortellini, ...
12/29/2024

More wonderful forever homes! Can you hear them all singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas"?

Congratulations to Tortellini, Squeak, Mr. Beans, Morrigan, Lyra (now Josette), siblings Leo and Toby, Igon (now Blacky), mother and daughter Nelly and Clayby (now Emmy), Bogey, and Beezus (now Betty). And thank you to the families who chose to adopt their new furry family member from Pet Pantry.

Merry Christmas wishes from all of us at Pet Pantry.
12/25/2024

Merry Christmas wishes from all of us at Pet Pantry.

12/24/2024
We are SO grateful for all our supporters, both within and outside Lancaster! Recently, Lynn Sehnert, pet photographer a...
12/17/2024

We are SO grateful for all our supporters, both within and outside Lancaster! Recently, Lynn Sehnert, pet photographer and owner of Lance and Lili Photography in Ashburn, VA, volunteered her day to do free pet portraits in exchange for food and monetary donations to the Pantry. Many pet parents booked sessions with Lynn and graciously donated so much to us. Thank you, Lynn, for volunteering your time and talents for our organization. And thank you to the pet parents who donated so we can continue helping Lancaster families and pets in-need!!!

12/17/2024

Congratulations to Pet Pantry of Lancaster County for being voted best in the "Rescue Organization" category by our readers! Pet Pantry helps any animal and their humans get through times of need, providing an accessible option for life-saving care.

Pet Pantry was formed in 2011, providing a way for those struggling financially to give their pets the care they deserve. In 2012, Pet Pantry began collecting food donations for pets, also beginning to provide veterinarian services for animals cared for by rescues in 2014. Pet Pantry continues to expand its helping arms, annually conducting on average more than 400 adoptions, providing over 70,000 pounds of dry dog/cat food, and helping over 150 families.

Congratulations, Pet Pantry of Lancaster County!

It's time to get your 2025 dog license! Licenses can be purchased at Pet Pantry during regular business hours.In Pennsyl...
12/12/2024

It's time to get your 2025 dog license! Licenses can be purchased at Pet Pantry during regular business hours.

In Pennsylvania, all dogs over 3 months of age and over must be licensed. Failure to have a license can result in a fine of $500 per violation plus court costs. Fees from dog licensing fund the work of dog wardens throughout the state.

Pet Pantry of Lancaster County 2025 Calendars have arrived! Featuring Pooch & Purr Playoff winner Maggie on the cover, t...
12/12/2024

Pet Pantry of Lancaster County 2025 Calendars have arrived! Featuring Pooch & Purr Playoff winner Maggie on the cover, the calendar includes other Pet Pantry alumni, playoff runners up Lulu, Levi, and Bailey Mae, and important pet-related holidays.

Calendars are $10.95 plus tax and are available to purchase during regular business hours. Proceeds directly benefit the animals in our care.

We extend our congratulations to Pookie Bear, Almond, Amber, Chestnut (now Gus), siblings Crouton and Kat, Coconut (now ...
12/09/2024

We extend our congratulations to Pookie Bear, Almond, Amber, Chestnut (now Gus), siblings Crouton and Kat, Coconut (now Steven), Joy (now Murphy), siblings Nacho and Tortilla, Peanut, Pumpkin, Reese's Pieces, Simba, and Walnut (now Chandler) on choosing their forever homes. And our thanks to the families who chose to adopt (not shop) their new family member from Pet Pantry.

Thank you to everyone who visited during our Light the Way Open House on Saturday evening.  We had record attendance thi...
12/09/2024

Thank you to everyone who visited during our Light the Way Open House on Saturday evening. We had record attendance this year and received so many donations of pet food. All the animals in our care appreciate your generosity.

And thank you to all our volunteers and staff who donated their time to prepare for the Open House and create a seamless evening for our guests.

Join us this evening for our annual Light the Way Open House from 5:00 until 8:00 pm.The weather outside might be a bit ...
12/07/2024

Join us this evening for our annual Light the Way Open House from 5:00 until 8:00 pm.

The weather outside might be a bit chilly but we are making plans for a toasty, warm evening. Tour our facility, chat with staff members and volunteers, browse our store for pet holiday gifts and Pet Pantry merchandise. Then join us under the tents for Santa photos, shop our craft vendors, face painting, light fare, and free beverages. Then gather around the fire to toast marshmallows for s'mores and sip hot chocolate.

December is also our Annual Pet Food Drive. This holiday season why not consider donating a bag of food to help dogs and cats in our community. Of particular need this year are dry cat food (any brand), canned dog food (any brand), and cat or dog treats (any brand). Help stuff our truck by bringing a bag to our Light the Way Open House.

For more information on the event visit https://tinyurl.com/PPLCLTW.

Is there a special person or pet you would like to remember this holiday season? Why not sponsor a light in their memory...
12/05/2024

Is there a special person or pet you would like to remember this holiday season? Why not sponsor a light in their memory and help illuminate our building. Tomorrow is the final day to purchase a light so don't delay.

This Saturday, December 7th, we will hold our annual Light the Way Open House. For the first time this holiday season our building will be illuminated in white lights as we pause to honor and remember. To purchase a light, and for more information on the event, visit https://tinyurl.com/PPLCLTW.

Wondering what to get that special someone? Sponsor a light in their honor and help illuminate our building this holiday...
12/03/2024

Wondering what to get that special someone? Sponsor a light in their honor and help illuminate our building this holiday season. Then bring them to our Light the Way Open House this Saturday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. so they can see their on the name Honor/Remembrance Scroll.

Lights are on a “pay what you can" basis with a minimum of $5 but any amount is appreciated. Donations received will be used towards the medical and nutritional needs of animals in our care. To sponsor a light visit https://tinyurl.com/PPLCLTW.

Address

26 Millersville Road
Lancaster, PA
17603

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 3pm
Tuesday 12pm - 7pm
Wednesday 12pm - 7pm
Thursday 12pm - 7pm
Friday 12pm - 7pm
Saturday 12pm - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+17179838878

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Meeting the Need

The Pet Pantry of Lancaster County (a 501 (c) 3 Non Profit) meets the needs of families and animals in our community through operation of a Pet Food Bank Program, Lower Cost Spay/Neuter/Vaccination Programs, and by supporting animal rescue through our adoption program. organizations to do what we can to keep family pets where they should stay - in their forever home.