In the United States, millions of low-income families rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, to help meet their basic food needs. While this vital program provides necessary support to put food on the table, it currently does not allow recipients to use benefits to buy pet food. This policy leaves many struggling families in heartbreaking situations, forced to choose between feeding themselves or their beloved pets.

Pets provide companionship, emotional support, and mental health benefits, especially for the elderly, disabled, veterans, and families in crisis. For many SNAP recipients, their pets are part of the family, and the inability to afford pet food puts both people and animals at risk. Shelters often become overwhelmed when families, no longer able to afford their pets’ care, are forced to surrender them. This strains community resources and devastates families emotionally.

We are calling on Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update SNAP’s guidelines to include basic pet food as an allowable purchase. This change would help families keep their pets healthy and happy without compromising their own food security.

Why this matters:

• Mental and emotional health: Studies have shown that pets improve mental health and reduce stress, particularly for low-income families facing financial hardship. For many, their pets provide unconditional love, comfort, and stability during difficult times.
• Economic impact: Surrendering pets to shelters due to an inability to afford pet food not only harms families but also places a burden on already strained animal shelters and rescue organizations. Keeping pets at home reduces costs for communities.
• Support for vulnerable populations: Many SNAP recipients are elderly, disabled, or veterans who rely on their pets for emotional support and companionship. Helping them afford pet food ensures that they do not have to sacrifice their own well-being to care for their pets.

We believe that allowing basic pet food purchases under SNAP would be a compassionate and practical solution to support families and pets in need. No one should have to make the choice between feeding themselves and feeding their pet.

Join us in urging Congress and the USDA to make this change!

What you can do:

• Sign this petition to show your support for allowing pet food purchases under SNAP.
• Share this petition with your friends, family, and on social media to spread the word.
• Contact your representatives to let them know why this issue is important to you.

Let’s make sure families don’t have to say goodbye to their pets because they can’t afford food. Together, we can advocate for a more inclusive SNAP program that recognizes the important role pets play in the lives of millions of Americans.