Food Pantry for Pets Moving Into White Plains

The loss of a job or other economic difficulty affects an entire household.

But sometimes overlooked during the rough stretches are family pets, which need food on their plates as well. For that reason, the Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry opened its doors in 2010 with the goal of helping area families in need feed their family pet, keeping the animals with their owners.

After 18 months in Valhalla, the non-profit organization outgrew its previous facility and will be moving to the Ridgeview Congregational Church in White Plains this week.

"We have more than 165 clients and calculate we have saved 450 animals from having to be taken to a shelter or abandoned," said Susan Katz, founder and president of the pet food pantry.

Families who have either lost a job, are on a fixed senior income or disabled people who no longer have the money to feed their pets qualify for the program, which gives out free pet food once a month. Katz estimated the pet food pantry has handed out just shy of 30,000 pounds of free food since opening.

The food has helped all types of animals from dogs and cats to parrots and hamsters.

The Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry will complete its move into White Plains this week. After that Katz said the pantry is actively seeking volunteers and donors to keep the program moving. 

If you would like to volunteer, or no someone who needs help feeding their animal, more information is available here.