NEW YORK (WABC) — Your dog or cat is part of the family. Now, New York City is offering a little extra help for households with pets.
Starting Oct. 19, 22 city-funded food pantries across the five boroughs will begin offering free dog and cat food, giving pet owners some extra help as the cost of living continues to climb.
City officials say the goal is simple: no one should have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their furry companion.
“The affordability crisis affects every member of a family, including the pets we love,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. “No New Yorker should have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pets.”
The new program is backed by a $500,000 city investment and is launching at selected food pantries already serving communities across New York City. Officials hope the added resource will ease financial stress for pet owners and help keep pets in the homes where they belong.
“For many of us, our pets are family,” Department of Social Services Commissioner Erin Dalton said. “When money gets tight, we know people will skip their own meals before letting their animals go hungry.”
Animal welfare advocates say the program could also reduce the number of pets surrendered to shelters when families hit tough financial times.
For many New Yorkers, pets are more than companions. They’re family members, couch cuddling experts, walking buddies, and unofficial therapists. The city says this initiative recognizes that reality while helping residents care for every member of their household.
Where to find free pet food:Bronx:Part of the Solution: 2759 Webster Ave., 10458
New York Common Pantry: 1290 Hoe Ave., 10459
Davidson Community Center: 2038 Davidson Ave., 10453
The Kingsbridge Heights Community Center: 3067 Kingsbridge Terrace, 10463Queens:First United Methodist Church of Jamaica: 162-10 Highland Ave., 11432
River Fund: 89-11 Lefferts Boulevard, 11418
Yeshua Worldwide Ministries Food Pantry: 7911 Caldwell Ave., 11379
Hour Children Community Outreach: 36-49 11th Street, 11106Brooklyn:Community Help in Park Slope: 200 Fourth Ave., 11217
Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty: 5361 Preston Court, 11234
On the Go Relief: 2832 Fulton Street, 11207
St. John’s Bread and Life Food Pantry: 795 Lexington Ave., 11221
The Campaign Against Hunger: 2004 Fulton Street, 11233
YMCA Community Market: 2980 West 29th Street, 11224Manhattan:Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen Pantry: 296 Ninth Ave., 10001
New York Common Pantry: 8 East 109th Street, 10029
St. Clemens Food Pantry: 423 West 46th Street, 10036
The Father’s Heart Ministries: 543-545 East 11th Street, 10009
The Lower Eastside Girls Club: 402 East 8th Street, 10009
Trinity’s Services and Food for the Homeless: 602 East 9th Street, 10009Staten Island:Project Hospitality: 205 Canal Street, 10304
Feeding with TLC: 309 St. Paul’s Ave., 10304
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