Buckners are longtime pet lovers,
don’t want beloved pets sent to shelters
Staff writer
As people stopped in front of Marion Senior Center Friday to pick up boxes of food for people struggling because of COVID-19 stay-home orders, Victor and Cindy Buckner helped with their pet food needs.
While Marion Senior Center staff loaded food boxes into cars and trucks, the Buckners stepped over to ask drivers if they had pets.
Those who said they did were asked how many, and if they had cats or dogs.
The Buckners brought pet owners bags, boxes, and cans of food for the pets.
Victor Buckner said he started gathering animal food in February so Marion County pet owners who were struggling financially didn’t have to surrender their beloved pets.
The couple also formed a social media group to help spread the word.
Buckner said the cost of the food didn’t come out of the couple’s pockets.
He collected the pet food at a pet food bank operated by a Kansas City-area branch of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The Buckners are longtime pet lovers who have also helped animals find new homes so they don’t get taken to an animal shelter where clock starts ticking until they are put to death.
For Cindy Buckner, helping pet owners have food for their pets was a birthday project.