Use local Texas resources to care for your cat if you need pet food assistance.
When families or individuals experience economic stress, cutting out "extras" often entails getting rid of the family pet. The cost of pet food and pet care add up and these costs can overwhelm people whose budgets no longer include pet food costs. In Texas, caring organizations make special efforts to help pet owners obtain food assistance for their pets. Cat owners can find food donations for their feline friends in locations throughout the state.
Instructions
1. Call the Texas Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) or the humane society in your locality. SPCAs that serve metropolitan areas either have their own free pet food program or they can direct you to the appropriate local community resources. Explain that you are experiencing difficulties feeding your cat because of financial pressures. The SPCA will provide you with their criteria for receiving cat food help. The Humane Society of Polk County donates cat food directly to qualified cat owners.
2. Collect all documentation that demonstrates your financial need. You must prove that you need donations of pet food due to lack of resources including unemployment or underemployment, disability, illness or welfare eligibility. Gather documents that show that you receive Social Security payments, are eligible for Medicaid, receive unemployment benefits or receive food stamps. If you apply for assistance from a program that gives help to disabled or ill cat owners, bring a doctor's letter ascertaining your disability or illness.
3. Search for alternate organizations and agencies which assist cat owners who need food assistance. Pets of the Homeless collects pet food and distributes it to homeless pet owners who don't have the funds to feed their animals. Agencies that work with Pets of the Homeless include non-profit organizations as well as businesses in Dallas, Helotes, Houston, Grand Prairie, Clute, Pearland, Bryan and Georgetown. Save our Pets Food Bank, with locations in Houston, Austin, Livingston and Helotes, provide you with free pet food if you meet their criteria. Other food banks for pets include the food bank at Greyhound Rescue of Austin Texas and the Daisycares Pet Food Program, operated by the San Antonio Food Bank.
4. Contact Pet Pals of Texas if you need help obtaining food due to a disability or terminal illness. Complete Pet Pals' application packet and provide written proof of your illness or disability (a doctor's letter, documentation from Medicaid or Social Security.) Pet Pals will help you obtain cat food and will also assist you to care for your cat's physical needs.
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