What Should You Do with Extra Pet Food & Supplies?
Declutter and donate to help others in need!
(If you prefer to watch or listen to this essay, click on the video below.)
Sunshine lowered her nose with curiosity to the turkey and giblet delight I’d just smashed with a bit of water into her bowl. With sideways cat-eyes, a flick of her tail, and an abrupt U-turn, I knew it was the flavor of desire no more. We danced that tango often as she aged.
During my years serving clients at the pet food shelf, I learned that many cats, regardless of age, were as persnickety as my Sunny. “Wet or dry?” That’s the first thing we ask visitors with cats. Few canned food lovers dared venture to the kibble side.
The next decision, which texture - pate or gravy, rooted many clients to the floor. Further anguish unfolded when they were asked to choose a flavor bundle from the pre-sorted, seven-pound bags of food – poultry, beef, fish, or party mix. This phase of food selection produces the most interesting comments.
“Mr. Fluffy Bottoms vomits salmon. I have to make sure it’s not hidden in the poultry.”
“Jackson snubs his nose at turkey. He’ll meow until the dog appears and eats it for him.”
“Don’t give me any of that oceanfish. That’s just a bunch of parts and pieces made to look like real meat.”
The most bittersweet moments at the pet food shelf have come when I’ve unlocked the donation bin to move its contents to the warehouse. Mixed in with new bags and cans of food are the opened bags of kibble, unopened cans of food, and the gently used items of a well-loved pet. I bow my head in reverence. One family’s loss will become someone else’s gain.
While the pet food shelf has become a staple in the community, and many people use the bin, countless others have no idea what to do with the food and supplies accumulating in dark closets and cabinets.
To all of you accumulators waiting to find a home for your stuff, here are some suggestions to rid your home of clutter while helping others in need.
Animal Rescues and Shelters
The first place I suggest you try is a local animal rescue or shelter. Food and products, such as leashes, collars, and toys, may go to the animals in their care. Some donations may be diverted to their pet food pantries where food and supplies are distributed free of charge to people in their communities who need help with animal care. Creating a safety nets helps keep pets out of crowded shelters and in loving homes.
If a shelter can’t use what you have to offer, they may accept your donations if they have storage space. The donations are then passed along to others in their network.
Community Food Shelf
If a shelter or rescue can’t take your donations, ask if they can refer you to another who might. One such place may be your community food shelf or food pantry. An increasing number of organizations that feed people in need have recognized that people forced to decide will choose to feed their pets over themselves. Many community resource centers offer pet food to their visitors.
When you call to inquire if they take pet food donations, be sure to ask if they take open bags or only unopened product. My neighbor buys a 50-pound bag of dog food and divides it at home into portions directed by the food shelf. She carefully labels the smaller packages with product name, manufacturer, and expiration date. Her work saves the food shelf volunteers valuable client-facing time.
Online Sharing App
The digital world has become a boon for waste reduction strategies in a climate-challenged environment. Online sharing apps are growing in popularity as more people desire to find homes for their extra goods rather than toss them into the garbage.
I have an urban-living friend, Kristin, who is an avid participant in her local Buy Nothing group. She once found a home for an eight-inch ball of rubber bands accumulated by a former staff member who sorted the daily mail!
Kristin helped me find a home for 21 cans of open cat food accumulated in the first three days of fostering pregnant Ivy. Distress had forced Ivy into extreme flight mode. She wouldn’t touch anything I fed until hunger finally overrode fear. Kristin connected me to a woman in her neighborhood who manages a feral cat community. She used the cans of cat food to lure cats into traps so they could be spayed and neutered. She was thankful for the free food. I was thankful for her effort!
Olio is another sharing app gaining fast traction in Europe. It enables users to sell or give away food and other household items.
Both apps focus on building community through volunteering and ambassador programs. Got kids? These apps may provide you with the perfect family volunteer activity from your home and in your neighborhood.
The Takeaway
When you’re staring down that cluttered closet or overflowing pantry full of pet supplies, remember there’s a world of good you can do with it. By donating to local animal rescues, community food shelves, or leveraging online sharing apps, you’re not just clearing space—you’re making a tangible difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s helping a struggling pet owner feed their furry friend or supporting a shelter’s vital work, your surplus can turn into someone else’s treasure.
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa
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It took me a few months after I lost my shelties Sammy and Brie to feel ready to let go of their food, treats, and other things. But when I did, I took them to the rescue that saved Pants' life. It was painful to donate - another step in the path of grief. But it was also meaningful to know that what was once useful to my dogs would now be useful to other dogs, carrying on a legacy and keeping a little part of my pups alive.
Thank you for this really helpful article, Cindy! Much appreciated.