5 Resources for Free Pet Food
Three times a week, the People and Pets Together pet food shelf fills with people seeking help to care for the animals in their home. Pet food tops the list of needs. Close behind is cat litter, treats, toys, shampoo and coats.
There are all kinds of reasons, short and long-term, why people need help caring for their pets.
Job loss
Underemployment
Chronic poverty
Incarceration
Natural disaster
Transportation challenges
Aging and disability
Some of the reasons above don’t even apply directly to the people seeking help.
A pet food shelf visitor may be assisting a family member on military deployment who left behind a beloved pet.
An extended family member may have lost their home and need temporary care for a pet while they look for housing.
Some people visiting the pet food shelf are caring for the pet of a deceased loved one.
The last decade, and especially since Covid, there has seen a shift in sheltering focus. Rather than grow shelters to accommodate more surrendered animals, resources are being dedicated to methods that prevent surrender and abandonment.
The number of organizations offering social services to people with pets is growing all across the country. The resources that offer free pet food are too many to list by name. They are grouped below by category to help you refine your search.
Stand-Alone Pet Food Shelf
It’s not uncommon to find pet food shelves alongside community food shelves in many urban locations.
The Colorado Pet Pantry operates 102 pet food distribution centers, many in the Denver-Boulder region. They partner with other non-profits to get pet food to families outside the metro area.
When you search for a local resource like this on the internet, use the name of your town, city, county or state plus words like:
“pet food shelf”
“pet food pantry”
“pet pantry”
“free pet food”
Community Food Shelves
Many local food shelves have begun to provide pet food to their visitors in response to the growing body of research that links positive mental and physical health benefits from living with a pet. Rather than make people choose between feeding themselves, feeding their pets, or surrendering their furry friend, many community food shelves offer pet food along with their people food options.
Community Action Agencies (CAA) are local private and public non-profit organizations that carry out Community Action Programs (CAP) to reduce poverty across the country. Many programs operate food shelves in local communities.
Don’t Forget to Feed Me in Texas supplies pet food to local organizations who then distribute it to pet owners. Some of the local groups with whom they partner include community food shelves and pantries, Meals on Wheels, ministries, and CAP agencies.
When you search for a local resource on the internet, use the name of your town, city, county or state plus words like:
“food shelf”
“community food shelf”
“food bank”
“CAP food shelf”
Local Animal Shelters
Many local animal shelters assist their communities by providing pet food and supplies directly to people in need.
The Nevada SPCA runs a pet food pantry where visitors can book an appointment to shop for cat and dog food and limited pet care supplies.
SecondHand Hounds distributes pet food and pet care supplies through their People & Pets Together pet food shelf located in the Chuck ‘N Don’s Pet Wellness Center in Minneapolis, MN.
(Side note: The Chuck 'N Don's Pet Wellness Center is like the AT&T Stadium for the Dallas Cowboys. Chuck 'N Don's gets their name on a building in exchange for their support. The opening of the wellness center over a year ago has allowed the pet food shelf to grow beyond servicing a single neighborhood to city-wide help! Maybe this model can be used in your community?!)
Other animal shelters help families in need by providing pet food to local service organizations who then distribute the food. The Carver Scott Humane Society provides pet food to the local county CAP Agency Food Shelf.
(Is your community animal shelter struggling to feed the animals in its care? Visit Who Will Let the Dogs Out and Maddie's Fund for lists of resources to help shelters improve the care they provide.
Animal advocacy groups
Feeding Pets of the Homeless is a national organization focused on feeding and providing emergency care to pets of homeless people. Many of their resources for pet food are centered near large cities. They extend their reach through partnerships with other non-profits.
Animal Food Bank Directory | Alley Cat Allies has an extensive list of animal food bank programs searchable by state and city.
CoFund My Pet provides a crowd-source funding platform for people seeking help to pay vet care costs. They also provide a list of free pet food resources by state.
Veterinary Schools providing community outreach
If you are fortunate to live in a state with a veterinary school, be sure to research what the student clubs are doing and where they provide community outreach services. The school may be in a large city, but passionate students are willing to travel to provide care.
The University of Minnesota VeTouch student club is a community outreach program that offers free wellness exams, vaccinations and flea, tick and heartworm preventatives. When donations allow, they provide pet food for clients at each clinic.
For a list of veterinary schools in the U.S. see the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Proof of need may be required to get free food
Many places will require some proof of need or residency. They ask for this information to help ensure they are reaching their target audience and to track data needed when they apply for grants. Some forms of qualification include:
Food stamps
Free or reduced lunch program
HUD Section 8 Housing
Major V.A. Disability
Veteran status
Military Status
Medicaid
Medical assistance
Unemployment
WIC
State, county, city residence
Finding free food is possible with a little effort and grace
Everyday more resources to help people care for their pets in their homes comes into existence. Most are fueled by volunteers and run on donations.
Remember to be kind. Harness your inner-patience. Treat others as you hope to be treated.
I can wholeheartedly say that volunteering at the People & Pets Together pet food shelf has been a hugely rewarding, life-changing experience because of the people I’ve met, and the animals helped!
Speaking of volunteers and donations, got time? Have a little cash? When you help a neighbor care for their pets, it helps reduce animal shelter populations and the abandonment of companion animals.