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#1 out of 14.40%
15h ago
‘Pets shouldn’t be a privilege.’ As cost of living rises, demand grows for pet food pantries. - The Boston Globe
- Demand for Boston pet food assistance surged this year as living costs rise and federal aid lags, prompting more families to seek help.
- MSPCA officials report 2024 distributed 2.8 million pet meals statewide, rising to 3.5 million in 2025.
- Families often rely on monthly pet food deliveries to stretch limited budgets, with about $50 worth of food per visit.
- Pet owners say keeping pets helps families stay together when money is tight, per MSPCA comments.
- Boston Animal Rescue League’s Keep Pets S.A.F.E. pantry serves Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury.
- Boston deliveries include homes and offices of social service groups like Action for Boston Community Development.
- York-area and statewide efforts include MSPCA sites and local YMCAs distributing pet food.
- PET owners have increased pandemic-era pet ownership, contributing to higher demand for food assistance.
- The MSPCA points to broad community reliance on pet food support amid rising costs and reduced public aid.
- Owners report using pet food assistance to cover essential livestock-related costs amid housing and rent pressures.
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