Due to the rising cost of living and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are struggling to care for their pets. If you’re among them, there are several potential solutions to explore before surrendering your beloved companion. Organizations and businesses nationwide are stepping up to assist pet parents in need with everything from free dog food to reduced-cost veterinary services.
Where to Find Free Dog Food
Dog food can be expensive. And in the past year, prices have increased more than 9%. To help families bear the burden, many organizations are providing free food, including:
- Meals on Wheels: Although the organization typically caters to humans, certain local chapters also provide free pet food. Officials started doing so with the We All Love Our Pets (WALOP) initiative in 2006. They realized some clients were sharing their meals with their four-legged companions if they couldn’t afford pet food.
- Animal Shelters: Animal shelters often struggle to feed the pets in their care. But some have the resources to maintain a food bank for pet parents in need. Families who come to surrender their pets due to economic hardship may receive a voucher for free or reduced-cost food instead. The ASPCA has a list of shelter resources.
- The Humane Society of the United States: The Humane Society has a list of resources where pet parents can find free dog food, low-cost essential health services, and temporary foster care.
- Feeding Pets of the Homeless: This non-profit primarily serves unhoused people and their pets. But their website provides resources for anyone facing financial hardship, including links to free food and veterinary care.
- Breed-Specific Organizations: Some breed-specific groups offer support for low-income families with particular breeds. You can find groups on social media or on the American Kennel Club’s list.
How to Help
If you don’t currently need help caring for your pet, lend a hand to others. One way to do so is to donate food to your local pet food bank. If there isn’t one in your community, consider starting one. You can also talk to local grocers and pet supply retailers about saving dented or recently expired food and donating them to a shelter. Or, make a public online wish list via Amazon.com or WishList.com and share it on social media to gather items to donate to a shelter, food bank, or family in need.
