Pet Food Assistance: How to Get Free Pet Food

Wallets are tight and times are rough for many, but they can be tighter for pet parents. Some pets can eat an enormous amount of food. Others may require special prescription food or medications that can be expensive. According to a 2024 study, about 20 million pets in the U.S. live in poverty with their families, and 70 percent of those pets have never seen a veterinarian. Luckily, there are a ton of resources available to help pets and families in need. 

You can get free pet food through local animal shelters, humane societies, and SPCAs, which often run assistance programs for families experiencing financial hardship. Many food banks and food pantries also provide dog food and cat food for free.

Pet food banks by region

Pet food banks are exactly like human food banks, only they assist our furry friends instead. For example, Pet Buddies Food Pantry in Atlanta, Georgia, provides spay and neuter services and has a mobile outreach program to deliver pet food to low-income areas. In Indianapolis, F.I.D.O runs a pet food pantry on the first Saturday of each month. In Los Angeles, California, PAWS/LA provides services to low-income seniors, veterans, and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Need help tracking down pet-food support in your area? Start with these options listed by region.

West

• Bakersfield Pet Food Pantry, Bakersfield, CA

• Berkeley Humane Pet Pantry, Berkeley, CA

• East Bay SPCA Pet Pantry, Oakland, CA

• Sacramento SPCA Pet Food Bank, Sacramento, CA

• Santa Cruz SPCA, Santa Cruz, CA

• FIDO Pet Food Bank, Oregon City, OR

• Chuck Waggin’ Pet Food Pantry, Phoenix, AZ

Central

• Friendship Pet Food Pantry, Chicago, IL

• Community Pet Pantry, Evanston, IL

• Kibble Korner Pet Food Pantry, Rockford, IL

• Wet Nose Pet Food Pantry, Westchester, IL

• Pet Project Midwest Pantry, Des Moines, IA

South

• Austin Humane Society, Austin, TX

• SPCA of Texas Pet Pantry, Dallas, TX

• PAWS Program of South Texas Food Bank, Laredo, TX

• Permian Paws In Need, Midland, TX

• Louisiana Pet Food Bank, Statewide LA

• Louisiana SPCA Pet Food Pantry, New Orleans, LA

• PAWS Atlanta Pet Food Bank, Atlanta, GA

East

• Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley, Emmaus, PA

• Centre County PAWS, State College, PA

• Humane Society of Harrisburg Area Pet Food Bank, Harrisburg, PA

• Philly Pet Pantry, Philadelphia, PA

• AnimalKind NY Food Bank, Hudson, NY

• Pets Alive Pet Pantry, Middletown, NY

• People for Animals Pet Pantries, Robbinsville, NJ

• PawsCause.org PetPantry, Shamong, NJ

• Bo Lends A Paw Pet Pantry, Salem, NJ

• Homeward Bound Pet Food Pantry, Camden County, NJ

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National pet-food support programs

Humane World for Animals works to keep pets happy and healthy in their homes, and has run a program called Pets for Life since 2012. Pets for Life has supported more than 300,000 pets in underserved areas with more than 1.1 million services, including $14 million in vet care. Humane World also operates rural area vet services, so people far from large cities can still access care for their pets.

Pets for the Homeless provides pet food and emergency vet care to pets who belong to people experiencing homelessness. In 2024, the nonprofit provided emergency vet care to 1,800 pets and delivered more than 295,000 pounds of food to those in need. If your pet is experiencing illness or injury, call 775-841-7463 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. PST to connect with a case manager.

Other ways to find free food for pets

It’s worth asking questions and searching your area for resources, because food pantries sometimes provide food for pets as well as people. Here are a few places to check. 

• Food pantries: You can search for food pantries near you at foodfinder.us. Many of them have pet food available. 

• Pet Help Finder: Visit the site Pet Help Finder, click on “Food Pantry and Supplies,” input your zipcode, and click “Search.” 

• Meals on Wheels: Many branches of this program for homebound senior citizens offer pet assistance as well. Visit mowp.org/pet-program for more information. 

• Your local shelter: Many shelters offer programs or monthly events that provide resources to pet parents in need. 

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Getting help with pet bills

Every pet parent knows that pets can be expensive, especially when they have health issues. For vet bills, try speaking with your vet and explaining your circumstances. They may be able to sign you up for a payment plan or connect you to a different clinic with lower fees. 

Here are some other resources:

• Vet bills: Try searching PetHelpFinder under “Veterinary Services” for affordable vet services. 

• Spaying or neutering: Search local shelters and vet schools for free or low-cost options, which may be available once a month or once a quarter. Also check PetSmart’s Charities database or SpayUSA’s referral network. 

• Pet supplies: Ask your local shelter, which may operate needs-based programs or be able to point you in the right direction. 

• Emergency care: Waggle.org is a pet-focused fundraising site that pays veterinarians directly.

Related article

Vet Bill Assistance: Get Help with Vet Bills

Dealing with high vet bills? See assistance options for affordable pet care. Get the support your pet needs without breaking the bank.

And there are tons of nonprofits and other groups that offer assistance for pets, especially with expensive vet bills. Although they may not be able to approve every application, many can still offer valuable advice as you look for solutions. Here are a few to check out. 

• Frankie’s Fund provides grants for emergency vet care to pets for lifesaving treatments. 

• Hope Mending Hearts offers small grants (up to $200) for pets needing urgent medical care. 

• Paws4ACure provides up to $500 in assistance with vet bills to anyone experiencing financial hardship. 

• Red Rover Relief has grants for low-income folks whose dogs or cats need lifesaving care.

• Tripawds ASAP provides grants up to $500 for pets needing amputation. 

• Vet schools frequently offer free or low-cost services from student vets in training. 

• Magic Bullet Fund offers funds to folks whose cats and dogs have been diagnosed with cancer. 

• The Mosby Foundation offers assistance for emergency medical care, cancer care, and spay and neuter services for dogs only. 

• ScratchPay.com offers payment plans for vet bills and other pet healthcare costs.

Commonly asked questions

How to get free bags of dog food? 

You may be able to get free bags of dog food from local animal shelters, vet clinics with pet assistant programs, churches, or food pantries. You can also try your neighborhood’s buy nothing group for free or leftover dog food. But make sure you only take from a trusted or close-knit neighbor.

Does EBT apply to pet food?

No, households cannot use SNAP benefits to buy pet food. Even though your pet is part of your family, the government considers pet food to be a “non-food item.” However, you can use food stamps to buy ingredients to make homemade dog food. Always consult with a vet before transitioning your pet to a homemade diet. 

Does PetSmart take EBT in 2025?

No, PetSmart does not take EBT cards. Only human food items that have a nutrition label are eligible.