IT'S ASKING THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO LET PEOPLE USE
FOOD STAMPS TO BUY PET FOOD.
KSBY'S KELSEY MCFARLAND
JOINS
LIVE IN THE STUDIO. KELSEY,
HOW MANY ARE
SUPPORTING THE IDEA?
THIS NUMBER SEEMS TO CHANGE
BY THE MINUTE-- BUT RIGHT
NOW
THERE ARE OVER
SIGNATURES..
NOT TOO FAR AWAY FROM THE
GOAL
OF 120-THOUSAND.
BUT SOCIAL SERVICES
OFFICIALS SAY... IT'S NOT
WAS
FOOD ASSISTANCE IS MEANT
FOR.
IT'S EASY TO GROW A SPECIAL
BOND WITH YOUR PET.
>>KEVIN: "one of the most
important things
in my life. they keep me
mentally stable."
>>SHARELLE: "they are
definitely a
companion and they do become
part of
your family."
SO KEEPING THEM HEALTHY AND
HAPPY IS IMPORTANT. "it is
important to feed your
animal because it's your
responsibility."
WHICH IS WHY ONE MAN CREATED
A
PEITITION... ASKING THE
FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO HELP THOSE IN
NEED... FEED THEIR PETS....
THROUGH
THE FEDERAL SUPPEMENTAL
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM... OR "SNAP"
HE WRITES:
"I have only been on SNAP
benefits for a
few months, but I have been
unable to
feed my little dog due to
government
regulations."
MORE THAN A HUNDRED THOUSAND
PEOPLE SIGNED IN
SUPPORT.
BUT SOCIAL SERVICES SAYS...
THAT'S NOT WHY THE PROGRAM
WAS CREATED.
>>TRACY: "the origination of
that was
really that collaboration of
farmers and people of need
of food"
IT'S MEANT TO SUPPLEMENT A
HOUSEHOLD'S PANTRY....
DEPENDING ON HOW MANY PEOPLE
LIVE THERE AND HOW MUCH THEY
MAKE.
>>TRACY: "so if we're
supplementing
households with snap or cal
fresh, we
wouldn't want that to be
based on the
number of people they have
in their
household and then those
people to go with less to
feed animals." MANY ARE
SPLIT ON THE ISSUE.
>>KEVIN: "i feel for the
people that need
the stability of a pet that
keeps you
grounded... but on the other
hand i think
you need to step up and take
responsibility for yourself
before you
take responsibility for
another person."
ANOTHER BIG QUESTION - IS
WHETHER OR NOT A PETITION
WILL
REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. "I
think my first reaction is
no I don't think it will
have traction but, who
knows? it could!"
####
IF YOU HAVE A SERVICE
ANIMAL--
THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT
BALL
GAME.
THE ASSISTANCE DOG SPECIAL
ALLOWANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES A
MONTHLY PAYMENT OF 50
DOLLARS TO THOSE ELIGIBLE.
LIVE IN THE STUDIO KM KSBY
NEWS.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO WEIGH IN --
OR
FIND THE PETITION- WE'VE PUT
THE
