The last time I wrote about this topic was about a year ago, right in the middle of the once-in-a-lifetime (hopefully) pandemic. At that time the need for donated pet food was great, but unfortunately the need is still there. The news is filled with stories on rising gas prices, rising inflation and rising worries! Despite those worries, or maybe because of them, I would encourage everyone to support their local food bank and even consider helping with pet food, in addition to people food!
I can tell you, from volunteering for the past year at my local food pantry, that the lines have never been longer and the need never greater. Thankfully we start each shift with the aisles stacked with groceries, and end that shift with (literally) empty shelves. When it comes to pet food, I’m always amazed at the number of times it is requested. The volunteers scramble to see what we can find, but we often come up empty.
I’ve also found that many of the pet-specific food pantries in the US have had to abandon their reliance on donations (buying food instead) and some have even had to close. According to one of the pet food pantry operators, “We found out that many of the people, particularly seniors, would choose to feed their pets rather than themselves.” So for me, helping feed pets is helping feed people too! It’s also caring for a person’s loving companion who is likely a tremendous emotional support.
If you’d like to help out, an easy way to get started is to Google “pet food bank near me” (Google will likely know your location). If not, add the name of your city to the search. This should result in a list of places which will accept pet food.
You can also try visiting the Anti-Cruelty Society at www.anticruelty.org. Check under “Resources” for a list of Pet Food Pantry locations. You may also check out www.generationwags.com, and check under “Rethink Rescue”, then “Safety nets for pet owners”. I found a list, by state, of places to get free pet food (they also accept pet food donations).
Some animal shelters also provide food to the pets of local residents who are facing a financial need. If you have a great animal shelter near you, it might be worth checking to see if they’ll accept pet food to distribute, as needed, to families. Remember, the pets you are helping are likely helping their “people” through a very difficult time. What a blessing it is to help people, and their pets. As a final note, I do want to acknowledge that every family seems stressed emotionally and financially right now. You don’t need to donate a case of food to help. A single can will help, and make a difference!
