A shelter in San Diego gave their rescue animals a Thanksgiving they will never forget as they were surprised with their very own “Barks-giving” meals.
While people across the country were tucking into their delicious Thanksgiving dinners yesterday, staff at the San Diego Humane Society certainly did not want their shelter dogs and cats to miss out.
But with almost 1,400 animals in their care at present, it was a big task on their hands to ensure everyone got a homemade meal to celebrate the occasion.
Thankfully, the shelter was helped out by Lionel’s Legacy in partnership with Lionel’s Lunchbox, who supplied countless dinners for the animals in need.
So, while the cats and dogs at San Diego Humane Society’s San Diego and El Cajon campuses may have spent Thanksgiving waiting for a home, they got to enjoy a mouth-watering plate of food that made it a day to remember.
A spokesperson for San Diego Humane Society said there were “plenty of tail wags” when staff delivered the fresh meals to the animals in the kennels.
“We are grateful to Lionel’s Legacy for their generosity and continued dedication to helping senior dogs and shelter pets throughout our region,” the spokesperson continued.
Lionel’s Legacy—named in honor of “Sad Lionel Boy,” a senior pittie mix foster— is a rescue organization that was founded in 2012 to provide a safe haven for homeless senior dogs in Southern California.
Rescue founder Laura Oliver went on to create Lionel’s Lunchbox, in partnership with Angela Stanger, to make healthy, wholefood meals available to any pet.
With a focus on quality and healthy ingredients, each meal consists of sweet potatoes, fresh greens, carrots, grains, kelp and protein.
Meals purchased through Lionel’s Lunchbox allow the organization to continue feeding and caring for senior dogs who are part of Lionel’s Legacy.
The Thanksgiving meals appeared to go down a real treat with the shelter animals, as pictures shared by the shelter show the dogs diving straight in and even licking the plates clean. Who could blame them, after all?
It was not just the dogs and cats at the San Diego Humane Society who celebrated “Barks-giving” this year however.
Lionel’s Lunchbox also visited Chula Vista Animal Services and San Diego County Department of Animal Services to provide meals to their rescue pets too.
San Diego Humane Society is currently caring for 683 dogs and 466 cats who are still waiting for their forever homes.
After spending Thanksgiving in kennels this year, shelter staff hope that this time next year, many of their intakes will be able to celebrate with a loving family of their own.
Newsweek has contacted San Diego Humane Society via email for comment.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.
