During tough times, it's not only the families that suffer and may struggle to find something to eat, but also their beloved pets. Now a new donation-based program called Pet Food Stamps is here to fill that void and ensure no furry friend goes without a meal.
The new Pet Food Stamps program was 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," according to the organization's website.
The New York-based nonprofit helps pet owners who can't support their animal friends. More than 45,000 pets have already been signed up in the past two weeks, according to the program's founder and executive director Marc Okon.
To qualify families must prove they're receiving state assistance. If approved they'll get a monthly allotment to spend at national retailer Pet Food Direct for a six-month period. However, the food stamps for pets program are not something new. Other animal shelters and rescue leagues around the country like the Washington Animal Rescue League, have been providing pet food banks for years.
"One of our missions is to provide income-qualified families with discounted pet care, vaccinations, vaccine clinics, neutered clinics and vet care," said Washington Animal Rescue League spokesman Matt Williams. "We have a new medical center on site. ... We also have a food bank run entirely on donations."
The government says that the number of people in the U.S. on Food Stamps is now at an all-time high with families using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make it through the month.
Applications can be filled out on the Pet Food Stamps website.
