In response to “Shelter Food Donations” which appeared in the Feb. 1-7 issue of North Country This Week please bear in mind people with pets do fall upon hard times and special circumstances. Are they to give up a beloved pet because they are short of funds and can't afford pet food from time to time? If you don't want to donate to help someone keep a pet during a hardship then don't donate. But to blast or criticize such a worthy and dedicated cause as our local shelter is a travesty. Maybe you should consider volunteering at the shelter so you see firsthand the inner workings of a humane society. Then and only then will you understand empathy for others who have pets and are struggling to keep them because they love them. Be it a divorce or death of a spouse or a multitude of reasons people do need help on occasion. Bless those who donate so the animals do not end up in a shelter or worse yet dumped off as so many dogs and cats are. Do not be so quick to judge the misfortunes that occur where pets are concerned.