A local rescue group recently opened one of the only pet food pantries in southwestern Connecticut, in an effort to help owners who are struggling financially.This week, STARescue, of Stamford, opened its first pet food pantry, made up entirely of donations. Heather Scutti, one of the founders, says the organization's mission is simply to keep pets from ending up in shelters.Scutti says it costs about $45 each month to feed a pet, which can be unaffordable for some families."We just didn't want people to make that hard decision, that horrible decision: 'I can't afford it. Do I feed my children or do I feed my pets?'" Scutti says.The process of obtaining pet food at the pantry is totally confidential, she says.So far, STARescue's pantry has collected more than 1,200 pounds of dog and cat food.