PetSmart Charities estimates 30 million pets in the U.S. live in homes with people managing food insecurity. On Pet Hunger Awareness Day (September 30), the organization partnered with Feeding America to distribute pet food at local food distribution events across the country.
According to Feeding America, more than 50 million people turned to food banks for support — more than at any point in the last decade. Sixty-three percent of Feeding America food bank representatives report their current sources of securing pet food are not sufficient to meet the need they see.
Pet parents can pick up food for themselves and their cats and dogs at four Pet Hunger Awareness Day events at Feeding America partner food banks on September 30:
The events are part of PetSmart Charities' ongoing efforts to address pet hunger, providing quarterly deliveries of pet food to Feeding America partner food banks for distribution to pet parents in communities across the country year-round.
"As pet parents face food insecurity, those times of uncertainty can lead to many families making heartbreaking decisions — including surrendering beloved pets," said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. "We want these families to know that they are not alone, and support is available.
"We are grateful for incredible partnerships with Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America, which help us broaden our reach by supporting efforts to get pet food to families where they turn for help," Gilbreath continued. "These efforts can help keep families together, and we encourage other human services agencies to consider adding services for pets, too."
According to Feeding America, 52% of neighbors report running out of food in the past year before they had money to buy more. PetSmart Charities began its partnership with Feeding America in 2017 to distribute pet food through partner food banks. Since the launch of the partnership, PetSmart Charities has donated nearly 70 million pounds of pet food to Feeding America for distribution across its network.
"In every community in America, people are working hard to provide for themselves and their families — people and pets alike," said Erika Thiem, chief supply chain officer at Feeding America. "At a time when the cost of basic needs is out of reach for millions of people, hunger in America is a crisis. We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with PetSmart Charities where, together, we can meet this moment so that every family member, including pets, has the food and resources they need to thrive."
PetSmart Charities also partners with Meals on Wheels America to support senior pet owners. The organizations have reached a milestone of 15 million pet meals delivered to seniors and their pets across the country. Meals on Wheels America found that more than one in five clients reported going without food themselves to feed their pets.
