When contaminated food started killing pets across the country, pet owners took notice.

But as it turns out, the contamination and subsequent recall have affected more than just households with pets.

Chances are you’ve never heard of Guinnette Peebles or her organization, let alone contributed to it.  But last year Poodle Rescue of Houston took in 400 animals in hopes of adopting them out.

“This one here was found on I-45 trotting down the highway.  He’s got mange and he’s predominately blind. And this little dog was actually seen being thrown from a pickup truck,” Peebles said.

But 400 dogs make for a lot of mouths to feed, especially given the recent pet food scare.

“The food recall, we had to throw out so much food and the food bank has been a miracle,” Peebles said.

From a west Houston warehouse, Rescue Bank distributes donated pet food to the underdogs of animal rescue, so to speak.  But, thanks to the recall, the supply here has gone from tons to a trickle.

“Rescue Bank has about 30 non-profit no-kill animal rescue and rehabilitation groups,” Rescue Bank’s John Kane said.

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In the month before the pet food recall, Rescue Bank received 6,000 pounds of donated food.  In the months since, it’s received about 600.  That’s a reduction of 90 percent.

That reduction may be because the big donors – grocery distributors – have grown skittish.

“Their feeling is they’d hate to send something out only to find out it’s a contaminated food. One of the grocery chains has gone so far as to implement a liability insurance policy,” Kane said.

But that shortage could leave rescue groups in an even bigger bind – having to search for food in addition to permanent homes for the animals in need.

The Houston Young Lawyers Association is launching a supply drive for the Rescue Bank from June 4-9.  For venues and times, click the PDF link in the box at the top of the story.