German soup kitchen feeds people and pets

Berlin is going to the dogs-both rich and poor. In October, the city saw the debut of a bus line that takes dogs to and from luxury doggie daycare. Now, for the less financially well-off canines, there's a soup kitchen for pets and their impoverished owners in Germany's capital.

The free pet food means a lot to locals in economic trouble, according to the Reuters news story. One woman with two dogs, four cats, a rabbit, and guinea pigs was quoted as saying she'd “starve to death” without the money she saves on dog food. The soup kitchen also feeds owners who show up with their pets.

The company Animal Board, which runs the soup kitchen, is sponsored by from various companies, including some animal food manufacturers. Animal Board director Claudia Hollm says she thinks making sure dogs don't go hungry is as important as making sure people don't starve. “They're incredibly important for those who lack social contact with other humans,” Hollm told Reuters.