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 dogs 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 

Pet food banks are exactly like human food banks, only they assist our furry friends instead. You can search for food banks in your area on sites like Cofundmypet, which can connect you to organizations that can help.

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.

Some national organizations also have resources. 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. Click here to search for a Pets for Life partner site near you. 

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. Click here to search for a pet food provider near you. If your pet is experiencing illness or injury, call 775-841-7463 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. PST to connect to a case manager.

How can I 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 have programs or monthly events offering resources to pet parents in need. 

• Pet Chow Pantry: This food pantry provides food, treats, and sometimes cat litter to pet parents in need. Apply with proof of low-income status to qualify. 

Where can you get help with pet bills?

Every pet parent knows that pets can be expensive, especially when they have health issues. Tons of nonprofits and other groups 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. 

• Bialy’s Wellness Foundation sponsors those caring for pets with mobility issues like birth defects, paralysis, and amputation.  

• Big Hearts Fund supports pet parents whose pets have been diagnosed with heart disease. 

• FluffyRX offers discounts on pet medications, which you can fill at your regular human pharmacy. 

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

• Friends and Vets Helping Pets offers grants for curable medical issues such as tumors, broken bones, and diseases that can be treated with medication. 

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

• Paws4ACure provides assistance up to $500 for vet bills for anyone with financial hardships. 

• 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 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 healthcare for your pets.

Eduardo López / Pexels/

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. 

Struggling with other pet bills?

Pets have other bills besides food, and there are resources for those bills, too. 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 fundraising site for pets that pays veterinarians directly. 

Commonly asked questions

Does PetSmart take EBT in 2025?

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

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.