Pet Returns Are Rising: Fido & Friends Has A Plan To Keep Pets Home

ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — For many families, a pet is more than just an animal — it’s a source of comfort, companionship and unconditional love. But as the cost of living continues to rise, more pet owners are facing heartbreaking decisions about whether they can afford to keep their beloved companions.

That’s exactly what motivated Fido & Friends founder Bry Stotler to create the nonprofit’s Mobile Pet Pantry, an initiative designed to help families feed their pets before financial hardship forces them to surrender them. Now, the organization hopes to take that mission even further by expanding throughout St. Mary’s County.

Looking For Community Partners

In a recent Facebook post, Fido & Friends announced it is seeking local businesses, churches and community centers willing to donate a small portion of their parking lot for approximately one hour on Wednesday evenings to host drive-thru pet pantry distributions.

The organization handles the volunteers, setup and cleanup. Community partners simply provide the space.

The nonprofit hopes to establish additional rotating pantry stops in Ridge, Charlotte Hall, Mechanicsville and the Seventh District area while continuing its existing locations in Lexington Park and Leonardtown, making pet food assistance easier to reach for families without reliable transportation.

More Than Just Pet Food

Stotler said the expansion isn’t simply about handing out bags of food. It’s about preventing pets from entering shelters and giving families the support they need to stay together.

“The need for food is extremely high,” Stotler said in an interview with The BayNet. “I see the intake numbers because people can’t provide for their animals anymore.”

As someone deeply involved in local animal rescue, Stotler has witnessed firsthand that many pets surrendered today aren’t being given up because they’re unwanted.

“I’ve seen so many returns this year — not because they were bad dogs. It’s just because people can’t care for them anymore,” she said. “To me, that’s not a reason to have to turn your dog in.”

She recalled watching children cry as their family pets were surrendered to shelters.

“It was killing me,” Stotler said. “I just can’t do it anymore.”

Reaching Those Who Need Help Most

One of the biggest challenges isn’t collecting donations — it’s reaching the people who need assistance before they reach a crisis point.

Many of the people Fido & Friends serves are seniors, individuals living on fixed incomes or residents without transportation.

“I feel that a lot of people who are on limited incomes, SSI, retired … they need their animals more than most of us do,” Stotler said. “It keeps them in a routine.”

She explained that by creating pantry stops closer to underserved communities, families may be able to walk, bike or use a moped instead of traveling across the county.

“Two miles away is a lot easier than going from Seventh District down to Lexington Park,” she said.

The expansion would also allow volunteers to spend more time helping families and less time making lengthy deliveries throughout the county.

Keeping Pets Home, Where They Belong

For Stotler, one moment continues to reinforce why the program exists.

“I’ve witnessed people give someone a burger, and they literally gave the whole burger to their dog,” she said. “Those moments are why this really came to be.”

She believes pets often become a person’s greatest source of stability, especially for seniors and those experiencing homelessness.

“The homeless … that’s the only reason these people still get up in the morning, is because their dog is there,” she said.

Her goal is simple: help families before they ever have to make the impossible choice of giving up a pet.

A Growing Community Resource

Although pet food distributions remain the organization’s primary mission, Fido & Friends has expanded its services to address other barriers pet owners face.

The nonprofit assists with low-cost spay and neuter programs, rabies vaccinations, transportation to veterinary appointments when possible and quarterly “Comfort Cuts & Nail Trim Sundays,” where volunteer groomers provide grooming services on a pay-what-you-can basis.

“We’re not making medical issues just because they’re not being able to take care of them,” Stotler said, explaining that routine grooming helps prevent painful skin conditions and overgrown nails.

Fido & Friends is also looking for additional professional or retired groomers willing to volunteer at least once a year during the grooming events.

There Are Many Ways To Help

Stotler hopes the community realizes volunteering doesn’t always mean working directly with shelter animals.

“If you can’t volunteer directly with the animals because it’s too hard emotionally, this is a good way to help,” she said. “The pet community is so large. You don’t have to foster. You don’t have to do this. There’s so much need.”

Whether by hosting a Mobile Pet Pantry, donating supplies, volunteering or simply spreading the word, every contribution helps keep pets fed and families together.

Those interested in partnering with Fido & Friends to host a Wednesday evening Mobile Pet Pantry are encouraged to contact the organization through its Facebook page. Donations can also be made through its Amazon Wish List to help stock future pantry distributions.

Community members interested in hosting a Mobile Pet Pantry location or recommending a suitable site are encouraged to contact Fido & Friends through their Facebook page.

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