By Kendall Jang, Staff Writer
For many families across central Ohio, rising living expenses and financial hardship can make it difficult to afford everyday necessities, including food for their pets.
According to a report from the United Way of Central Ohio, nearly 40% of Ohio households fall below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold, which includes families living in poverty and working households struggling to make ends meet.
For pet owners facing financial challenges, this can mean making difficult decisions between purchasing groceries for themselves or feeding their animals. In some cases, families may feel they have no choice but to surrender their beloved pets to shelters.
Tackling Pet Hunger in Central Ohio
For more than a decade, our partners at the Ohio Animal Foundation's Tackle Pet Hunger campaign have worked to address this challenge by providing temporary cat and dog food assistance to families experiencing financial hardship.
The campaign aims to keep pets in loving homes while reducing the number of animals entering already overcrowded shelters and rescues.
By providing access to pet food, the initiative helps families navigate difficult times without having to give up their animal companions.
Ohio Animal Foundation is encouraging community members to support Tackle Pet Hunger through monetary donations, pet food contributions at local collection sites, or purchases from its Amazon Wish List.
Every contribution helps provide food for cats and dogs whose families may otherwise struggle to meet their needs.
Want to make a difference?
1. Visit Ohio Animal Foundation's Tackle Pet Hunger campaign to learn how you can donate and help keep pets and their families together.
2. Not able to donate today? You can still help support unhoused people and pets by completing our action alert for the Providing for Unhoused People and Pets (PUPP) Act. With your help, we can establish a grant program for homeless shelters to access the funds they need to support clients with pets.
3. Share this story and action alert with friends and family!
4. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive animal welfare related news and resources in Ohio straight to your inbox.
