The Anne Arundel County Food Bank and the SPCA are teaming up to help local pets in need.

Beginning on Thursday, the SPCA will host a Pet Food Bank, where families in need can pick up food for their furry friends.

“The Pet Food Bank is an offering to the community for anyone who meets the low income requirements to help supplement their pet food purchases for the month,” said volunteer and foster coordinator Kim Teter. “So they don’t have to choose between keeping the pet and feeding them and their self.”

Teter said this is the first time the SPCA has had a Pet Food Bank but it hopes to open up the drive every other Thursday. The event will start this Thursday at 9 a.m.

The SPCA is working with the Anne Arundel County “people food bank,” as Teter says, in order to get donations and supplies. Teter said those who come for food will be asked to fill out an application.

“They can get the application at the SPCA or on our website,” Teter said. “We can approve the applications on the spot, but we prefer they turn them in ahead of time. However, we won’t turn away anyone in need.”

Teter said they have a lot of animals that are turned into the SPCA during the holidays because people can no longer afford to take care of them. She is hoping the food bank will help limit the amount of animals that are brought to the shelter.

“We will begin on Thursday and then open up more days at the demand picks up,” Teter said. “The food bank has been great with helping us and we are hoping we can help pets and families in need.”

The Pet Food Bank will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday at the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, which is located at 1815 Bay Ridge Ave. in Annapolis. Those wishing to pick up food can get an application online or in person.