The man had run out of dog food.

His disability check wasn't due for weeks. Pay day for his girlfriend was two weeks away.

He called the Lincoln Animal Ambassador's Pet Food Bank for help.

"I asked if he could wait a couple of days," recalled Mary Douglas, who coordinates the new Pet Food Bank.

The man, not wanting to inconvenience her, told Douglas he still had some rice and milk at home. He said he would feed that to the dogs rather than eat it himself.

Douglas hurried out with an emergency supply of dog food.

Stories like these are becoming more and more common as the country's economic difficulties wear on.

Since opening its doors on Sept. 13, the Lincoln Animal Ambassador's Pet Food Bank has distributed more than 3,000 pounds of dog and cat food to struggling Lincoln area pet owners and rescue organizations.

And the need is growing, Douglas said.

Increasingly, she is seeing financially strapped people who love their pets being forced to choose between keeping their pet and personal survival.

"Many do without things themselves to help their pets," Douglas said.

But there comes a time when that no longer works.

Formed in 2008, the Lincoln Animal Ambassadors work to improve the lives of animals, end animal cruelty and reduce the number of pets being euthanized.

"One area was to help people keep animals in their homes rather than turn them into the shelter," Douglas said.

About 50 percent of all animals that come to the Capital Humane Society are destroyed because no one has adopted them, said Bob Downey, executive director of the humane society.

Although he has not seen an increase in pets being relinquished for financial reasons, Downey said the humane society is fielding more calls from people who cannot afford pet food and are seeking donations. In turn, the humane society is directing them to the Pet Food Bank.

Penny Lauder turned to the Pet Food Bank when her dog's retractable leash broke. She couldn't afford another collar, so she made do with a two-foot-long leather strap that she hooked around Lady's neck.

The Pet Food Bank not only supplied her with a new leash and halter for 9-year-old Lady, but also brought her dry and canned dog food and a bag of dog treats.

Lauder, who is disabled and lives on Social Security, said if it hadn't been for the Pet Food Bank, she's not sure what should would have done.

"Lady is my pet and companion," Lauder said. A companion who protects her and keeps her spirits up especially on those blue days that tend to crop up, she said.

Non-animal lovers may say give up the pet if you can't afford to keep it. But pets are not possessions, Douglas said. They are family members - often beloved family members.

"In so many cases, animals have greatly assisted people in obtaining and retaining their physical and mental health," said Charlene Kjelland of Lincoln Animal Ambassadors. "We hope that by offering the Pet Food Bank, the assistance we provide will enable the pet to remain in their home, alleviating the pet owner's stress and allowing them to focus on regaining their financial stability."

Douglas puts it simply: "If they can get help with their pet food, then they buy their own food," Douglas said.

Reach Erin Andersen at 473-7217 or eandersen@journalstar.com.