NYC Food Pantries to Offer Pet Food Amid Rising Demand

In an effort to aid New Yorkers in maintaining pet ownership during challenging financial times, some city-funded food pantries will begin distributing pet food next week. Beginning Monday, 22 food pantries will offer both dog and cat food, enabled by approximately $500,000 in funding from the city, according to officials.

Food pantries are responding to the increasing demand for pet food as more pet owners find it difficult to feed both themselves and their pets. Many owners, faced with financial strain, are resorting to surrendering their pets to shelters. “For many of us, a pet isn’t a luxury. It’s family,” stated Erin Dalton, the Department of Social Services Commissioner. The initiative, part of the Community Food Connection program, aims to address this pressing need and includes a variety of pet food brands.