Long Island, NY - January 7th, 2014 - Pet Supplies Plus, a leading nationwide franchise of pet supply stores is joining Long Island Cares, Inc. as a corporate partner in helping pets and their families impacted by hunger and food insecurity on Long Island. All 10 Pet Supplies Plus locations on Long Island are participating in a store pick-up program in collaboration with the regional food bank to support Baxter's Pet Pantry at Long Island Cares, Inc. Since 2010, Long Island Cares has distributed nearly 500,000 pounds of pet food and pet supplies through its network of 590 community-based member agencies that assist families in need to maintain their pets at home, as opposed to placing them in shelters.

Baxter's Pet Pantry is a very special service of Long Island Cares, Inc. that is not supported by any budgeted funds or monetary donations. All of the pet food, supplies and products are donated by the pet food industry and through community pet food drives to benefit Long Island Cares.

"We're very excited to have Pet Supplies Plus join several other corporate donors in supporting Baxter's Pet Pantry," said Paule Pachter, Executive Director of Long Island Cares. "Pets are an important part of the family and if we're able to help families who might be in need of pet food keep their pets at home where they belong, than we're providing a meaningful service. We don't want to see families who might be struggling to put food on their own tables have to make choices about placing their pets in shelters because they don't have the ability to feed them, or provide them with a leash, bowl, or a toy. Through the generosity of our corporate donors like Pet Supplies Plus, we're able to provide this service, and have supported thousands of family pets during the past three years."

To donate pet food to Baxter's Pet Pantry, visit www.licares.org. For more information about Pet Supplies Plus, visit www.petsuppliesplus.com.