Animal Welfare Association’s Pet Food Pantry provides temporary nutritional support for families struggling to feed their companion animals. By offering donated pet food and supplies, the program helps families avoid the difficult decision of surrendering their pets due to financial hardship.
We believe that helping families means supporting them in every way possible – whether it's through providing food, shelter, or essential care for their beloved companion animals.
The Mission Behind the Pantry
The goal of our pet food pantry is simple but powerful: to provide temporary nutritional support for families so they don’t have to surrender their companion animals or face the heart-wrenching decision of choosing between feeding themselves or their pets. It’s a small act of kindness with a lasting impact, helping families stay together and ensuring that pets remain in loving homes.
Meeting the Growing Need
Last year, we were able to serve 3,288 families through our pet food pantry. This essential program is one of the first of its kind in our community, and it has become a critical resource for families struggling to meet their pets’ nutritional needs. As awareness of the program has grown, we've received numerous requests from animal shelters seeking guidance on how to establish similar pet food pantries in their own communities. It's incredibly rewarding to see that our efforts are inspiring other organizations to take action and make a difference for both people and pets.
Serving the Community
Each month, between 40 and 70 individuals attend our pet food pantry, seeking support and resources to help care for their pets during difficult times. For many families, their companion animals are not just pets – they are family members. But when facing financial hardship, it can be heart-wrenching to have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pets. Our pantry exists to ease that burden, providing a temporary nutritional support system so that families don’t have to make this impossible decision.
The Power of Volunteers
Our volunteers are at the heart of the pet food pantry, working tirelessly to ensure that those in need have access to food for their animals. From sorting donations to distributing food to families, their dedication and compassion are the driving forces behind the program's success. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support of our volunteers, whose efforts make this vital service possible.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to serve our community, we remain committed to expanding our pet food pantry and reaching even more families who need assistance. The support we receive from our donors, volunteers, and community partners makes all the difference in helping us achieve this goal.
If you or someone you know could benefit from the pet food pantry, we are here to help. Learn more on our website. Together, we can ensure that no family is forced to make the difficult decision of choosing between their own well-being and the well-being of their pets.
