Free Pet Food

~67% of US households have pets. When food is scarce, owners sacrifice their own food or consider surrendering their pet — a vicious cycle. This page lists networks that deliver free pet food and keep families and their pets together.

1. Pet food pantries

• Pet Food Pantry Network — petfoodstamps.org. National locator. Most do not require SNAP documentation.
• Regional food banks — most have separate pet food section. Ask specifically.
• Local animal shelters — most run "pet food banks" to prevent surrender. Call before visiting.
• Churches / synagogues — some maintain pet food distribution alongside family baskets
• Check with your local pantry — most don\u0027t advertise the service but have it

2. Meals on Wheels Loves Pets

• Meals on Wheels Loves Pets — mealsonwheelsamerica.org/loves-pets. Program for Meals on Wheels clients (typically 60+).
• Deliver pet food with human meal delivery. No extra cost.
• Initially launched by Meals on Wheels America with PetSmart Charities funding
• Ask your local Meals on Wheels program

3. RedRover Relief Grants

RedRover offers emergency grants for veterinary emergencies + pet food for families in financial crisis.

• RedRover Relief Urgent Care Grants — redrover.org. Up to $200 for veterinary emergencies.
• RedRover Relief Domestic Violence Pet Grants — pet food + boarding for DV survivors
• Apply via online portal. Typical processing 5-10 days.

4. Banfield Foundation

• Banfield Foundation Safety Net — banfieldfoundation.org. Aid with veterinary care + pet food in crisis.
• Covers vaccines, spay/neuter, pet food for families below poverty line
• PetSmart Charities — petsmartcharities.org. Grants for local programs.
• Petco Love — petcolove.org. Free distribution via shelter network.

5. DV shelters with pets — survivors

~50% of DV survivors delay leaving abuse because they have nowhere to put their pet. Specific shelters and programs exist.

• Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T) — allieskatkillin.org/saf-t. DV shelters that accept pets in national locator.
• RedRover Domestic Violence Safe Escape Grant — covers boarding for pet during DV shelter stay
• PALS Program (various states) — foster home network for DV pets
• For DV survivors →

6. Low-cost veterinary care

• Spay/USA — 1-800-248-SPAY. National locator of low-cost spay clinics.
• The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) — hsvma.org. Low-cost clinic locator.
• Veterinary universities — teaching clinics offer reduced-cost care
• CareCredit — payment plan for veterinary emergencies. Fast approval.
• GoFundMe Vet — campaigns for specific emergencies

7. SNAP — what is and is not covered

SNAP does NOT cover pet food. But specific rules:

• NOT covered: dog, cat, bird, fish, reptile food
• NOT covered: pet medications, toys, accessories
• IS covered: seeds + plants to produce food for your home (includes chickens that will lay eggs for your home)
• Service animals: service dog food may deduct as medical expense for 60+ / disabled
• Farm animals: feed for livestock/poultry that produce food for your table may be eligible (verify with agency)

8. If you can\u0027t keep your pet

If after exploring options you still cannot keep your pet:

• Responsible rehoming — aspca.org/rehoming. Sites to find new home before surrender
• Best Friends Animal Society — bestfriends.org. Save Them All program. Multiple options.
• "No-kill" shelters — prioritize adoption over euthanasia. Locator: bestfriends.org/no-kill-2025
• NEVER — release pet on street / park. Inhumane + illegal in many places.

Need help today?

• 211 — mention "pet food" for routing
• RedRover Helpline — 1-916-491-1900
• Local animal shelter — most run pet food banks
• ASPCA Pet Care Helpline — 1-888-426-4435

Related resources

• SNAP eligibility →
• For 60+ →
• For DV survivors →

Versión en español →

Last updated 2026-04-30. Feed America Inc. (EIN 92-1761881).