If pets are so often referred to as part of the family, and families should not be separated when a financial crisis occurs, should the federal government modify the rules of food stamps to make it easier for low-income families to buy pet food for their pets? The idea has been picking up steam – to the tune of 80,000 people who have signed a petition asking the Department of Agriculture to modify the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The petition, created by Mississippi resident Edward B. Johnson, states:
“I am one of those Americans. I have only been on SNAP benefits for a few months, but I have been unable to feed my little dog due to government regulations. Some argue that people should not keep pets if they cannot afford them, but the fact is that an individual or family’s financial status can change at any time. Should someone be forced to give up a pet they’ve had for years just because they hit a financial rough patch? Or should they be able to utilize federal aid to continue feeding their pet?
Pets are also important for emotional support. Being poor is hard enough without being expected to give up your companion. For most people, pets are considered family, not property.”
According to the Washington Post, the petition has little chance of succeeding, but in the long run, could the benefits of changing the SNAP program, which only allows food for humans, keep tens of thousands of animals out of shelters and help to keep the pet starvaton problem down?
In an examination of pet-owning households, 14 percent of pet owners earn less than $25,000 a year – basing this on a family of four, is seen as the federal poverty limit. How many pets get turned into shelters because their families can’t afford the veterinary bills? Even more basic however is the cost of food for dogs and cats – estimated to be $235 per year, according to a recent poll.
When families can no longer afford to buy pet food, they commonly share their own food; not always meeting the nutritional needs of dogs and cats. When that is no longer an option, families are forced to surrender their pets – even worse are the people who abandon their pets along roadways, deserted areas or leave them behind when they are forced to move.
How about the taxpayer cost communities must absorb for dog catchers and shelters? Once the stray pets are picked up by local animal control, how many are euthanized? Statistics from the ASPCA show approximately 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted each year (1.6 million dogs and 1.6 million cats). Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats).
Since the origination of the Food Stamp Act in 1964, only food for human consumption can be included, and any changes would need congressional action. What are the chances of that? And so private organizations have continued to step up to help, although there are many areas of the country where no help is available. PetSmart Charities, the ASPCA and other charitable organizations have launched programs, knowing that pets are indeed integral to families and individuals who are struggling just to feed themselves, but who love their pets dearly.
Where petition organizer, Edward Johnson, 59, lives, the nearest food bank for pets is a two-and-a-half-hour drive. The closest animal shelter is in the next county.
“Being poor is hard enough without being expected to give up your companion.”
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YES!!!!!!! They. Are family. Help keep them with family.
This article makes several valid points – including the cost to taxpayers when a family surrenders a dog and city/county shelters are forced to take care of the animals or to euthanize them – all of that takes money. Why not make it easier for families to buy food for their dogs and cats – and in the process, they get to keep their family members? When I see what some people buy with food stamps, it disgusts me – they’re buying potato chips, cookies, candy, and soda. I would share my food (not junk food either) with my dog if I was destitute because I could go to a soup kitchen to get supplemental sustenance for myself.
ask your local shelters and rescues, also food banks have pet foot donated by grocery stores
With all the money the U.S. government wastes it would be a wonderful gesture if people on SNAP benefits (such as myself) could use these for pet food – I am a senior citizen whose only income is Social Security and it would be a great relief to be able to have SNAP absorb my pet food costs. I have cats which have been with me since before I retired and they are my best friends and constant companions. They are not possessions – they are my family.
All you have to do is buy people food and make your own dog food. Use your snap to buy the people food, very simple. I make my own dog food approved by a vet, so why does people think they need to buy commercial pet food? It’s also better for your pet than all of the junk from China or full of chemicals. You can make enough for you both to eat. Use chicken or hamburger, veggies and rice or oatmeal. No problems.
I support this 100 percent working, animals r like family owners should be able to care for them during tough times!
I worked many years in a super market and can tell you, I would rather see people be able to buy food for their pets than some of the “frivolous crap” that they do buy with them. Mr. Johnson has a valid point and I agree with him 100%.
I think family is family whether they have fur or not, and they need to eat, so yes it should be allowed. I don’t think a person should have to give up their pet just because they fall in hard times.
I think family is family whether they have fur or not, and they need to eat, so yes it should be allowed. I don’t think a person should have to give up their pet just because they fall on hard times.
I absolutely think it should be allowed. When I do my grocery shopping and see what the food stamp recipients buy (while they are dressed in the best and their gold) —$40 greek yougurt cakes, best cuts of meat, gourmet salads, every type of junk food known to mankind, foods that I can’t afford to buym this shouldn’t even be an issue.
I support this 100per cent!!These animals ARE FAMILY!!!!!!