Feeding hungry pets

For struggling pet owners, providing pet food can be the difference between being able to keep a cherished pet and being forced to surrender him or her. We routinely hear from pet owners living on a fixed income that they are sharing their limited human food supply with their pet which means both human and pet are facing hunger and lack of proper nutrition.

Banfield Charitable Trust works to feed to hungry pets in three ways:

Funding Meals on Wheels pet food distribution programs across the country for homebound seniors.

Giving grants to nonprofit organizations such as food banks to purchase pet food for their pet-owning clients.

Organizing Seasons of Suppers™, an annual pet food drive and fundraising campaign in partnership with a network of 780 Banfield Pet Hospitals every November and December.

Since 2005, we have collected and distributed more than 85 tons of pet food and awarded more than a half million dollars in pet food grants thanks to our generous donors, corporate sponsors, and volunteers.

SEASONS OF SUPPERS™ 2011 SURPASSES GOALS, MORE PETS TO BE HELPED IN 2012

BCT collected 70,000 pounds of pet food and $166,000 in monetary donations to purchase food throughout 2012, meeting or exceeding the goals announced at the campaign kickoff on November 1, 2011.

BCT ran an unprecedented social media matching campaign that generated 18,000 pounds of pet food. For each person who “liked” BCT on Facebook, PEDIGREE® Brand and Royal Canin® donated a pound of pet food.

We’d like to introduce you to a few of the people who made this Seasons of Suppers campaign possible—and others whose organizations and pets have benefited from it. (Click on bullets under the photo to move through the slides.)

The animal lovers who donated to the Season of Suppers food drive need to know that they are giving a down-on-their-luck cat owner some true hope. Pets bring great joy and affection; being able to keep that during a time of struggle is nothing short of a miracle. Thanks to this tremendous support, we won’t have to turn anyone away for the next few months.—Kathy Covey from Cat Adoption Team, a pet food donation recipient

We are true animal lovers. What love we give our pets is returned many times over. The thought of not being able to meet their basic needs is devastating. In these economically difficult times, many pet owners can barely feed themselves, never mind their four-legged family members. Being able to help feed pets of housebound individuals is ‘double dipping’. Aiding both pet and owner is quite rewarding and most humbling. We hope that we helped keep that special love going.—SOS donors Dorothy and Hank (and their cats Gus and Willow)

Knowing that there were people out there who were giving what little food they had to their pets was touching and sad. It shouldn’t be that way. Every year, we get more and more people involved and the numbers go up. To know that I am a driver of that means a lot to me, and it is so exciting.—Dianna Gray, Banfield Pet Hospital SOS Ambassador

The entire Royal Canin® team was thrilled to be part of the Season of Suppers pet food donation program. As devoted dog and cat owners, we were gratified to know that we delivered 18,000 pounds of much-needed pet food to the Meals on Wheels organization. Moreover, we are grateful to the Banfield Charitable Trust for giving us this opportunity to give back to those who need it most.—Ann Hudson, Royal Canin

We collected 1,150 pounds of pet food that we donated to LifeCare Alliance, our local Meals on Wheels partner. I think the Season of Suppers food drive is a very valuable program, since we are able to help both pets and the owners who love them so much. To take away the worry of providing food for their pets, especially at the holiday season, has to be a great relief to the owners—Amy Stanley, Office Manager, Banfield Pet Hospital in Grove City

Our dog food bank helps low income people in Oregon who are receiving some type of public assistance. Since I started coordinating this program in 2007, BCT has reliably donated between 10 and 15% of the dog food we give out. The amount of food that came in this year from BCT will enable us to run our dog food bank for at least three months. Every time I walk in the warehouse, I smile.—Linda Cloud (with her dog Rachel) from Fido’s Dog Food Bank, a pet food donation recipient

HOW YOU CAN FEED HUNGRY PETS IN NEED

Contribute online anytime to Seasons of Suppers: A $30 donation will feed one pet for an entire month.

In the months of November and December, make a pet food or cash donation at any Banfield Pet Hospital. Find a hospital near you.

Organize your own pet food drive at your workplace, church, or school. Contact us at 503-922-5801 so that we can connect you with a trusted nonprofit to distribute your pet food donations to struggling pet owners.

HOW MEALS OF WHEELS MEMBERS AND NONPROFITS CAN GET PET FOOD FOR CLIENTS

Members of Meals On Wheels Association of America can apply for a pet food distribution grant at MyMOWAA during open cycles. Watch your MOWAA communications for details.

Nonprofits working with struggling pet owners can be added to our list of pet food distribution partners. Call us at 503-922-5801 or email us at info@banfieldcharitabletrust.org

Nonprofits can also apply for a pet advocacy grant to purchase pet food for vulnerable clients they serve. Learn more about our grant application process.

2011-2012 PET FOOD DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS

This map pinpoints pet food distribution partners across the country for 2011-2012.

View Feeding hungry pets in a full screen map