SILVERDALE, Wash. — The government shutdown has left many families in Kitsap County seeking food assistance, not only for themselves, but also for their pets.

Inside two small buildings at the Kitsap Humane Society, employees and volunteers are working to provide a bit of hope to those in need, in the form of free pet food at the Pet Food Pantry .

“I’m just picking up some food for my puppies. I got two of them,” said Cindy Townsend, who visited the Kitsap Humane Society’s Pet Food Bank with her family. “This has been really helpful.”

This is the second time they have turned to the pet food bank for help.

“That’s only because of the shutdown and everything. It’s been difficult,” she said.

The Kitsap Humane Society has seen a sharp rise in demand since the shutdown began and expect e

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