The White House may dismiss this as a "first class problem" — voters will probably disagree

tragedy of the treadmill

As Biden’s handlers scramble to find a dependable source of diapers for their charge, Shortages, soaring prices hit pet food supplies.

Bangor, ME:

The pandemic supply chain has taken another victim: pet food. While your precious pup or kitten is unlikely to starve, picky pets might have to compromise on their diet, as supply chain disruptions have affected the price and availability of certain pet food. 

Pet food makers experienced an increase in the cost and decrease in availability of their ingredients for animal- and plant-based oils and fats, according to The Pet Food Institute, an industry group for the makers of dog and cat food.

Prices for U.S. corn and soybeans — key ingredients in many pet foods — reached eight-year highs this spring, as these ingredients are being used in the push for biofuels-based renewable energies. Reduced truck driver availability and disruption to power generation and distribution also affected pet food makers.

Add that to the increased number of people adopting pandemic pets, and owners have a real issue of pet food supply and demand.

Laci Damon, veterinary assistant at the Brewer Veterinary Clinic, said that she has noticed shortages for certain pet food brands, especially Royal Canin. 

“We have run into backorder issues on the prescription side,” Damon said.

Sandy Choquet, manager of the Bangor PetSmart, said that the U.S. aluminum can shortage has also reduced the availability of canned cat food.

“We have particular brands that we’ve been having issues with,” Choquet said. “Fancy Feast is one of the brands that there’s still shortages with. There are certain flavors we can’t get.”

Choquet said that stores like hers saw the pandemic-related supply chain issues coming and were able to prepare by stocking up on customer favorites.

The problem then is the cost. Don Hanson, owner of Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor, said that while he has been able to get most of his usual stock, “everything is going up in price.”

From what I’ve observed, there are plenty of pet owners out there who would be far more forgiving of an administration that screwed up the nation’s supply of baby formula than if Sir Rollo’s favorite band of kibbles and bits disappeared from the shelves.