Apr 10, 2026
Several Massachusetts charities are reporting a surge in demand for pet food assistance programs. These include the Boston Animal Rescue League’s (ARL) Keep Pets SAFE (Supporting Animals and Families Everyday) pantry and MSPCA’s (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) statewide effort.
Experts note that many people acquired pets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current economic pressures, however, are making pet ownership harder for low- to moderate-income households.
Alyssa Krieger, director of community outreach for Boston’s MSPCA, told The Boston Globe her group distributed 2.8 million pet meals across Massachusetts in 2024. In 2025, the number increased to 3.5 million.
Clients typically receive half of their pet’s monthly food from the program, Krieger said. They visit sites such as the Lawrence YMCA, Hyde Park’s Helping Plates, and the Falmouth Service Center to pick up pet food provided by the MSPCA. According to Krieger, pet owners seek out the program about two to four times per year, she said. They receive approximately $50 worth of food during every visit.
In Boston, the ARL conducts more than 25 deliveries each month of dog and cat food, litter, and occasional supplies to people’s homes and the offices of Action for Boston Community Development, a social services nonprofit, noted ARL President Edward Schettino.
Read more at Country1025.com.