Pet Pantry of Lancaster County, 26 Millersville Road, Lancaster, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with a pet food drive and open house on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. A complimentary shuttle service and parking will be available at Lowe's Home Improvement, 25 Rohrerstown Road, Lancaster, to take attendees to the event. Many local food trucks will be present at the event as well as a beer garden, wine tastings, a holiday market and an opportunity to take family pictures with Santa.

During the event, Pet Pantry will light the exterior of its main building. "Each light represents a life that we have touched," said Melody Sanders, CEO and co-founder of the organization. "(Pet Pantry) lights the way for animals in Lancaster." After the building is lit, light refreshments will be available and tours of the building will offered as a way for Pet Pantry to educate the community on its services.

Pet Pantry will also open the doors to its newly acquired location on Columbia Avenue on Dec. 3. The new building will serve as a dedicated trap, neuter and return clinic for cats in the local community and hold kennels for dogs in search of forever homes. Pet Pantry holds a weekly clinic to spay and neuter feral cats in the local community, often attending to 25 cats per week. The clinic serves as a way to control the feline population and help the cats lead a healthier life. "These are the cats that show up at your house and you start feeding them. Next thing you know, you have a litter of kittens on your doorstep," said Sanders. "This is the best way to handle it."

Pet Pantry assists more than 285 families each month, providing them with pet food, treats, litter, low-cost spay and neuter services and veterinary services at a reduced rate. The organization also operates a rescue that takes in animals that families are unable to care for and places nearly 500 animals in homes each year. "Some people can't keep their animals, even when we provide food and litter," said Sanders. "We find homes for these animals. A lot of people can't afford to do it any other way."

Pet Pantry will accept pet food donations throughout the month following the open house, and the organization requests dry food for both dogs and cats to be donated. Lights may also be purchased for the lighting ceremony. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/petpantrylights.