General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPet Food Stamps
The Pet Food Stamps program, a registered NYS non-profit corporation, has been created to fill the void in the United States Food Stamp program which excludes the purchase of pet food and pet supplies. In these rough economic times, many pet owners are forced to abandon their beloved pet to the ASPCA, North Shore Animal League or other animal shelters due to the inability to pay for their basic food supply and care.
There are over 50 million Americans who currently receive Food Stamps, many with dogs or cats, who simply cannot afford to feed their animals, and these cherished companions are dropped off at animal shelters where they will most likely be put to sleep. Many people are also forced to choose between feeding their pets or themselves. A recent New York Times article states that animal shelters have reported a steep rise in the number of cats and dogs being surrendered as owners face unemployment, home foreclosures, evictions and other financial hardships.
As more families struggle with difficult choices like paying the rent or buying food, some have to choose between keeping their pet and putting food on the table.. Seven million pets are surrendered to shelters each year due to the inability of pet parents to pay for food, with four million of those pets put to sleep. The Pet Food Stamps program aims to eliminate the needless death of these loving pets and keep families together.
https://petfoodstamps.org/
I'm checking to see how much of the donations go to the program and not administrative hooha.
I think this is a worth program. A pet can be the last companion some have. In families tht are destabilized, a pet can be therapeutic. Being able to keep a pet without added stress could help immensely.
Yes, the family has many immediate needs. However, a pet is an integral part of families and IMO deserve to be aided boh for the pet's sake and the family's.
LuvNewcastle
(16,820 posts)I've known a lot of people who struggle to buy food for themselves and don't always have enough left over to buy pet food. A lot of them feed their pets scraps, which isn't so healthy for the animals.
I wish there were pet food pantries. Pet food companies could donate extra food to them and poor people could use it when they're short on money. I don't know if that would work, though, since some might get the food and eat it themselves. But I suppose you can't stop that kind of thing from happening, anyway.
yellowcanine
(35,692 posts)I visited a food pantry in Kansas a while back and they had bags of donated dry cat and dog food. Not much chance anyone is going to eat that and even if they would, it probably wouldn't hurt them.
cali
(114,904 posts)but people are going to think this is government sponsored.
Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)It also might get more support.
liberal N proud
(60,302 posts)He will become unhinged, it will be a riot.
Heidi
(58,237 posts)onehandle
(51,122 posts)...he means the unemployed.