Start a Pet Food Bank

[The Straight Story]

Start a Pet Food Bank

You’ve probably seen an increasing number of news stories about pets being surrendered by owners who can’t afford to feed them. With the steady stream of news about layoffs and foreclosures, more pet food banks are being established to address this heartbreaking situation.

Following are some ideas and considerations for setting up a pet food bank. This article refers to ongoing pet food banks and distribution rather than one-time pet food drives.

Every venture starts small, so any size pet food bank will be helping needy pets. You can start as a distribution of food one day a week with those in need picking up food from a retail store or parking lot. Or, it can be much larger in scope, such as a daily offering of pet food in partnership with a community food bank for people.

City wide participation may be harder to achieve but a goal you could set. A good example of a city wide effort is in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department brokered an arrangement in which PETCO Foundation is supplying about two tons of pet food per month to be delivered to the Storehouse. The Storehouse is one of the major food pantries in Albuquerque and provides free food products to qualified low income households. Community food drives will be conducted to gather even more food. The Mayor of Albuquerque was also involved. He’s an animal lover who’s participated in fundraising for homeless pets.

http://www.animalsheltertips.com/pet_food_bank.html

Someone on another thread I posted inspired me to look this up. Other links of interest:

http://www.thepetfoodbank.com/

Need help, but not in Georgia? This is a directory of unaffiliated pet food assistance programs throughout the United States.
http://www.saveourpetsfoodbank.org/national-locations.php

http://www.animalsheltertips.com/fundraising_pet_food_banks.html

Please add any you might know of.

[LeftyMom]

1. Titanic's Pantry in Sacramento

http://www.sacpetfoodbank.org/

[Bozita]

2. Links to pet food banks in Michigan ...

This snip is loaded with hot links:

http://www.mlive.com/jobs/index.ssf/2010/08/pet_food_banks_can_help_the_unemployed_k.html

There are other animal welfare organizations across Michigan offering help for pet owners who are experiencing financial difficulties.

In Allegan County, pet owners can turn to Wishbone Pet Rescue, which has a pet food pantry. The organization is located in Saugatuck, Michigan.
In Jackson County, the Cascades Humane Society in Jackson, Michigan, operates a pet food pantry for low-income residents.
In Kent County, residents can turn to the Kibble Konnection, a program to provide vet services and pet food to low-income pet owners through the Humane Society of Kent County. Applications are available online.
In the Metro Detroit area: P.A.W.S of Michigan in Riverview, Michigan, can provide information on where to get free and low cost pet food. You can request info by sending an email to [e-mail].
In Midland County, the Humane Society of Midland County runs the Pet Pantry Network for Midland area residents facing economic concerns and struggling to feed their pets.
In Muskegon County, the Pet Pantry of Michigan in Muskegon, Michigan, is dedicated to assisting low income residents with pet food and supplies.
In Oakland County, The Waggin' Tails Dog Rescue, Inc. in Northville, Michigan, runs a pet food bank. Applications for help are available on line.
In Ottawa County, home owners facing tough economic times can turn to the Furry Friends Food Pantry in Holland, Michigan, for help.
In St. Clair County, K9 Resque in St. Clair, Michigan, runs the Kibbles Kitchen, which offers up to three months of help for those families experiencing financial hardship.

The Michigan Humane Society also offers low-cost veterinary services to the unemployed through its Protect-A-Pet clinics. Pet owners may also qualify for help paying for veterinary care through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund.

[Raine]

3. THANKS for posting this... nt

:thumbsup:

[InvisibleTouch]

4. Great info, thanks!! n/t