Food pantries dedicated for pets are now popping up across the country. This is a relief for animal owners who do not have enough money to feed their furry companions.
According to the New York Times, one of the latest additions to the thriving pet food pantries is one opened by Animal Care Centers of NYC last December. In its first month, the pet food pantry has already fed 71 dogs and 50 cats.
Dr. Emily Weiss, vice president for research and development at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said these pet food pantries aim to lessen the population of animals in shelters by providing pet food assistance to owners who are considering of giving up their companions.
"Pets and people simply belong together. Just because somebody can't afford a specific aspect of care doesn't mean they don't belong together," Weiss stated.
However, the growing number of pet food pantries received criticisms from some nonprofit leaders. Joel Berg, executive director of Hunger Free America, said hungry people should be prioritized first over animals.
"I understand why this is important, but half the food pantries in New York City don't have enough food to meet human needs," he commented. "We should have fully stocked pantries for humans before we feed pets."
According to Feeding America, a US hunger relief organization that has a nationwide network of food banks, one in seven people struggle with hunger in the country. This means that one in seven Americans rely on food banks.
Stacey Coleman, executive director of the Animal Farm Foundation, refuted the critics saying that they are helping people by feeding their pets. Her foundation had provided a $12,000 grant to a pet food pantry in Bronx. "That bond is still the same, no matter what your checkbook looks like," Coleman told Times.
Misael Lopez, a father of two who has a low income, said that he was able to save $60 a month on dog food thru the assistance of a Bronx pet food pantry.
