Help Us Feed America's Families & their Companion Animals.

We request the United Stated Department of Agriculture extend pet food access to America's low income families, and homeless in all USDA  Food Hunger Programs. And Provide Pet Food Grants to Local community 501c3 nonprofit Pet Food Pantries.

Surviving the Streets: How Homeless Individuals and Their Pets Face America's Poverty Challenges.

 The issue of homelessness in America extends to both humans and their animal companions. Many homeless individuals have pets, which often complicates their access to shelter and other services.

Statistics on Pet Homelessness 

There are an estimated 70 million homeless dogs and cats in the United States. This figure includes animals who are homeless and those in shelters.

Homeless Population with Pets 

It is estimated that up to 25% of the homeless population in the United States has pets. This significant percentage highlights the need for pet-friendly services and support systems for homeless individuals who are pet owners. Homeless individuals with pets often face additional challenges, as many shelters do not allow animals. This leads to the difficult decision of choosing between shelter for themselves or staying with their pets.

Pets provide companionship, comfort, and security to their owners, making them invaluable to many homeless individuals.

Pet food pantries play a crucial role in supporting companion animals and their owners by providing necessary resources to prevent the surrender of pets to already overcrowded shelters. Most owner surrenders to shelters are uthanized.

The Challenges to Community Pet Food Pantries

Nonprofit Pet Food Pantries, who are the front-line providers to families in need cannot apply for grants from National Humane Societies, such as the SPCA, HSUS, Best Friends, Chewy, Amazon or others. These National organizations support only County Humane Societies via Grants. Local nonprofit pet food pantries must raise money on their own. 

The Need is Great, the resources are few.

The intersection of human and pet homelessness presents unique challenges and underscores the need for integrated support services that consider the well-being of both individuals and their animal companions.

Pet Food Pantries dedicated to supporting homeless individuals with pets are crucial, providing food, medical care, and sometimes shelter, which significantly aids in maintaining the bond between pets and their owners during times of hardship.

An example of one of the frontline pet food pantries supporting is www.GreenPetsAmerica.org Founded in 2009, in Woodstock, Georgia, Green Pets America has been recognized as “America's First Pet Meals on Wheels” home delivery pet food pantry. In addition to their Pet Meals on Wheels, Green Pets America launched "Boomers R Us" to assist Baby Boomers find new homes for their beloved companion animals, as they transition into retirement homes aiming to prevent these pets from being surrendered to shelters. Additionally, their new pilot program “Fresh Pet Meals” is testing home delivery fresh pet meals, just like the pet meals only the well to do can afford. 

Americas nonprofit Pet Food Pantries provide the only support to Americas low income, or homeless individuals with pets. These services include providing pet food, veterinary care, and sometimes even temporary housing for pets.

 Our request is clear: Support America's Pet Food Pantries end the suffering and hunger experienced by families and their beloved companion animals who lack access to food and shelter.

It is imperative that government programs addressing food insecurity and food deserts extend their food programs to the 66% of American households with companion animals. 

"Until mankind extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, he will not himself find peace." Albert Schweitzer 

Please sign and share our petition to bring hope to America's Hungry and Homeless.  https://chng.it/WvmnZjXNML

Steven Monahan