YAKIMA, Wash. -- More than anything, Shirley Rinehold of Yakima wants to stay in her own house and keep her three pet borzois. But because of financial and health-related problems, the 87-year-old knows she might have to move to a nursing home in another two years.

Luckily, she's getting help feeding her dogs through Yakima County's new Meals on Wheels program for pets.

"It's a godsend for people who want to have their animals and can't afford them," Rinehold said. "The dogs are the love of my life."

The service was organized in April as an extension of the Senior Nutrition/Meals on Wheels program of Yakima County. Through it, homebound seniors already receiving meals for themselves can receive food for their cats and dogs.

The deliveries proved so successful that they're now made to the 11 senior centers serviced by the nutrition program between Naches and Grandview.

Twenty-five dogs and 23 cats are receiving food through the home-delivery program, while 35 dogs and 30 cats get food dropped off at the senior dining rooms. About 175 pounds of dog food and 93 pounds of cat food are delivered each week.

"Because they're on fixed incomes, a lot of seniors will make sure their pets eat first before they buy food and medications for themselves," said Jerry Baldoz, who directs the senior nutrition program. "The seniors are absolutely grateful they're getting the pet food."

The idea came from Jane Bumgardner, owner of Manning Dog Training in Union Gap. After learning of a similar program in another state, she kept thinking it could work in Yakima. She began by contacting Baldoz, her customers and her sister, who owns a pet taxi service called Critter Cab.

Not long after, she gained the support from numerous businesses and community members, who supply her with food each week. Unlike the food deliveries to seniors, the pet program does not rely on taxpayer dollars. A handful of regular volunteers helps her package it and give it to the county.

"We're aware the economy is tough," Bumgardner said. "The donations have been absolutely wonderful. ... I hope it's sustainable."

Baldoz knows how important pets are to seniors, which is why he believes in the value of the program and hopes it will continue.

"Pets help them battle loneliness," he said. "You can almost tell right away if they have a pet or not. They are happier and they have a better frame of mind."

Rinehold said the free pet food means the world to her. Her dogs, Sabrina, Lilly and Bebe, are very much a part of her family, and she takes comfort in knowing they're happy and well-fed.

"They're such calm aristocrats," she said about her dogs. "There can be a party in your home and they act like they're a part of the furniture. They're very calm, very regal. They're good companions."

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 509-577-7684 or at esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.

To donate:

Pet food is available only to seniors 60 and older who are homebound or who partake in the county's meal service at one of 11 designated dining halls. Income guidelines do not apply. There are no services to the Yakama Indian Reservation.

* Donations of cash and small supplies of pet food can be dropped off at Manning Dog Training at 1008 W. Ahtanum Road in Union Gap. For more information, call 509-574-4008.

* Large donations of pet food are available for pickup by calling Critter Cab of Yakima at 509-248-2883.

* Small amounts of dog or cat food may also be dropped off at Senior Nutrition/Meals on Wheels of Yakima County at 1711 Englewood Ave. in Yakima. For more information, call 509-574-2200.