[Skip to Content]
Meals For The Elderly - Homepage

Supplemental Pet Food

Caring for Seniors by Caring for Their Companions

For many homebound seniors, a pet is more than a pet—it’s family. Pets provide unconditional love, emotional comfort, companionship, and a sense of purpose. But for older adults on limited incomes, the cost of pet food can become a serious burden.

Meals For The Elderly created the Supplemental Pet Food Program to ensure that no senior ever has to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their beloved companion.

Why Pet Support Matters

Pets play an essential role in the physical and emotional well-being of seniors. They can help:

  • Reduce loneliness

  • Lower stress and anxiety

  • Encourage mobility and routine

  • Provide comfort during illness or loss

Unfortunately, many seniors will sacrifice their own nutrition to ensure their pet is fed. Our program helps lift this burden and keeps both seniors and their pets healthy.

What the Program Provides

The Supplemental Pet Food Program offers free monthly pet food to qualifying Meals For The Elderly recipients who own pets. This includes a gallon size bag of:

  • Dry dog food

  • Dry cat food

  • Occasional treats or additional supplies when available

Pet food is delivered directly to the senior’s home—typically in the evening or on the weekend—making it easy, consistent, and stress-free.

Who Is Eligible?

This program is available only to existing Meals For The Elderly recipients who:

  • Own a cat or dog

  • Diffuculty affording pet food

  • Live alone

Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis to ensure the right level of support is provided.

How the Program Works

  1. Recipient requests assistance or a volunteer/staff member identifies need.

  2. Recipient Services reviews eligibility and determines the appropriate food type and quantity.

  3. Pet food is delivered monthly by volunteers, ensuring pets have consistent access to proper nutrition.

  4. Needs are reviewed regularly to adjust support as needed.

This simple system helps seniors maintain the loving bond they share with their pets—without financial strain.

How You Can Help

The Pet Food Program relies heavily on community generosity. You can make a big impact by:

Donating Pet Food

We accept unopened bags and cans of:

  • Cat food

  • Dog food

  • Treats

  • Other small pet essentials

Financial Donations

A monetary contribution allows us to purchase food in bulk and meet immediate needs.

Hosting a Pet Food Drive

Businesses, clubs, churches, schools, and community groups can organize collections to help support our seniors’ furry companions.

Donate Today to help keep seniors and their pets healthy and together.

A Small Gift That Means Everything

For many seniors, their pet is their closest friend. By supporting the Supplemental Pet Food Program, you’re not just feeding an animal—
You’re preserving companionship, improving well-being, and keeping love in the home.