Across the United States, many pet owners face financial hardships, income inequality and geographical limitations, all of which can deeply affect their ability to access resources for their pet. The rising cost of pet food can be out of reach for families who may be forced to decide if they eat or if their pet eats, and even whether they can keep their pet or must make a heartbreaking decision to rehome or surrender the pet they love.
While animal shelters offer community pet food pantries, not every community has an animal shelter or one that has the resources to provide support. Those struggling may find themselves turning to already-strapped shelters for support. That’s why creating a pet food pantry in your community can be a lifeline, helping families keep their pets healthy and at home.
Thinking of starting one in your area? Here are some tips and best practices to help you get started.
Do your homework
First, assess the need in your community. Are there existing pet food banks or pet food assistance programs in your area? If so, you might be able to partner with them to increase food donations or perhaps serve additional families to increase availability. There may also be an opportunity to partner with a human food pantry to provide supplies for the pets of their clients.
Spread the word
Reach out to local schools, community centers, veterinary offices, grooming salons, pet supply stores and other businesses. Let folks know about the community challenges and that they can support your community pet food pantry by donating food and other pet supplies. You can use social media, local news and community networks to raise awareness and recruit volunteers and donors.
Choose suitable distribution sites
With their permission, community centers, food pantries or pet-related businesses can be great places to use for pick-ups and drop-offs. You’ll want to coordinate with the venue(s) you choose to ensure someone will be available during the agreed upon times to accept and distribute food donations. Mobile set-ups—like parking lot drives or pop-ups—can also help expand your reach. Hosting regular food drives can help ensure a steady flow of donations.
Decide how often distribution will occur (weekly, monthly) and how many volunteers you’ll need to help distribute food.
Unstaffed pet food drop off/pick up locations are not advised. Unless the food is continually kept secured in tightly sealed wildlife-proof containers, there is a high risk of free roaming animals accessing the food and causing problems.
Keep access simple
We recommend against policies that may keep families from accessing the support they need, including requiring families to show proof of income. This type of requirement can cause hesitation in people seeking assistance and set up a power dynamic that erodes trust and respect. Similarly, requiring pets to be spayed or neutered in order to receive food can create a major barrier and often is counterproductive. Instead, provide information on the benefits spay/neuter without pressure, share options for no- and low-cost options and engage with curiosity and understanding.
Highlight the impact
Collecting data—by recording how much food (e.g., pounds or meals) is distributed, how many households are served and how often—will help demonstrate the community demand for this type of service. Share these statistics to illustrate the impact of the pet food pantry with donors and the media to help keep it going. Some community members may be comfortable sharing their story but be sure to ask permission and appropriately and accurately represent the person’s lived experience and perspective.