For so many of us, our pets are more than just companions — they are family. In fact, of the 86.9 million US households that have pets, 97 percent consider their pets to be part of their family. Yet, as much as our pets contribute to our families, our homes and our joys, they also share our hardships. And for far too many, this includes hunger.
Food insecurity is one of the primary challenges of these socioeconomic times. With over 47 million people across the US experiencing food insecurity, hunger knows no boundary, no zip code — it impacts 100 percent of communities across the nation. Despite signs of an improving economy, high food costs and living expenses have intensified food insecurity for many families. Food banks have reported increased attendance and many families in long term need. With an estimated 30 million pets facing hunger alongside their owners, it is likely that people seeking support from food banks have a pet at home in need of assistance, too.
Access to healthy, nutritious, and consistent meals should not be a luxury — for people or pets — and the pathways for providing accessible food for people facing hunger should not be mutually exclusive to those designed for pets facing hunger.
Our pets can serve significant service and therapeutic roles and provide vital companionship and social connections for many families, individuals, and senior adults, and can lead to better physical and mental health and wellbeing. Yet as families grapple with high costs for essentials including housing, groceries, medication, and transportation, many are finding it increasingly challenging to manage the expenses associated with their pets. Recently, 41 percent of pet parents already report difficulties in keeping up with the increasing costs of pet care and one in five pet parents experiencing food insecurity have reported foregoing their own meals to instead feed their pets.
Recognizing that when people are facing challenging times, their pets are in it with them, PetSmart Charities began a partnership with Feeding America to distribute pet food through partner food banks.
“For a majority of people in America, family includes pets. We see this bond firsthand at many food banks when neighbors come to pick up food for their pets. Their love and dedication in ensuring all members of their families – pets included – have access to the food and resources they need to thrive, makes our partnership with PetSmart Charities critical. Together, we can broaden our reach in the collective movement to end hunger in the U.S.”
– Linda Nageotte, president and chief operating officer at Feeding America
PetSmart Charities launched the annual Pet Hunger Awareness Day campaign as a call to action that coincides with Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month, throughout the month of September, to elevate the conversation around the full impact of food insecurity on people and pets.
These organizations began their partnership in 2017; and since then, over 298 million pet meals have been provided across the Feeding America network of partner food banks.
Since 2021, local Feeding America partner food banks have also reported a consistent increase in demand for pet food as part of this partnership. By making pet food available at food bank distributions, people can gain access to resources for both their families and their pets. This critical support helps pets stay with their loved ones and do what they do best — offer unconditional love.
Additionally, more than 13 million meals have been provided through PetSmart Charities’ five-year partnership with Meals on Wheels America.
Together they’ve provided 13 million pet meals alongside food delivery for seniors. According to Meals on Wheels America, one in five seniors will forgo their own meals to fill their own pets’ bowls first. Volunteers from Meals on Wheels discovered the food trays they delivered for clients were often left on the floor as pet parents shared their meals with pets.
AND… over 40 million meals have been donated through additional efforts across the US — culminating in 350 million meals for pets in need.
Since 2021, local Feeding America partner food banks have also reported a consistent increase in demand for pet food as part of this partnership. By making pet food available at food bank distributions, people can gain access to resources for both their families and their pets. This critical support helps pets stay with their loved ones and do what they do best — offer unconditional love.
“Older adults enjoy so many benefits from caring for their pets. The comfort and companionship they offer boosts wellness, staves off feelings of isolation and helps older adults remain active. Our partnership with PetSmart Charities has helped more seniors stay in their homes together with their pets – happier and healthier.”
– Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America
“Love for our pets isn’t measured by our bank account balances. When times are tough, we want to ensure people have access to the resources they need to make sure their pets can stay in their homes doing what they do best – giving unconditional love and companionship. We’re grateful for our partnerships with Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America and encourage all social services agencies to consider adding services for pets, too.”
– Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities
Serving people in need can be an incredible entry point for serving pets in need, too. Through building comprehensive strategies that leverage the resources, spaces and infrastructure dedicated to combating hunger, we can accommodate pet parents seeking nutritious meals for their entire families — two-legged and four-legged members alike.
