Launching a Pet Food Bank
Mission
Our goal is to assist pet and livestock owners during emergencies with food, supplies, and related resources. With the
emphasis on preventative care, we strive to help animals enjoy a higher quality of life in a cost-effective manner.
Infrastructure
Designate a closet or set of shelves separate from other food sources to store the pet food and supplies. Having a
stash of margarine/ice cream or other plastic tubs is handy to put food in for freshness, too, especially for cats or small
dogs. Pet equipment such as collars, bowls and blankets are offered when available.
Promotion
Signs, posters and other display material at the venue entrance are a good way to alert visitors of the service.
Share word of the pet food bank slowly in the first couple of months you secure food sources and determine the level of
demand. All pet owners are eligible to receive help at our facilities. Priority is given to seniors, the disabled and low-income
singles for whom their pets play an extra important role in their lives. Owners are encouraged to approach the Kibble bank
for help, as this shows responsibility with the pet food more apt to go where it is most needed.
We are working hard to establish a reputation of always having food available when necessary. Private donations have kept
up with demand to date, and we are working to establish ties with food manufacturers to build a steady supply of
food.
Once the pet food bank is well established, promotion through your web site, pamphlets and general PR efforts will help
it grow.
Donations
We encourage donations of the smaller 5 lb bags of food for freshness, ease of handling and less repackaging of the food.
The 8 kg bags usually serve three medium dogs for a week.
You may wish to approach pet food vendors, grocery stores, etc. to allow collection bins to be placed in their businesses.
Any cash donations are kept in a separate fund from the main venue to help purchase supplies as needed.
What a Kibble Pet Food Bank offers
Pet food
Kibble pet food banks offer one week’s worth of food for up to two animals per request per month as supplies allow.
This works out to one box of cat food per cat, and half a plastic grocery bag of dog food per medium size dog. Pet equipment
such as collars, bowls and blankets are offered when available.
All pet owners are eligible to receive help. Priority is given to seniors and low-income singles for whom their pets play
an extra important role in their lives. Spaying and neutering is strongly promoted, especially with owners with multiple pets.
Those asking assistance must agree that pets are for companionship and not for breeding or any illegal activities. The Kibble
Pet Food Bank Network will not be held responsible for any illness in animals helped.
Information
Information on how to reduce pet care costs is available through the Kibble web site and a growing collection of pamphlets.
Owners are encouraged to learn more about how the emphasis should be on quality food and care over pet toys.
Networking
The network is expanding to include resources for livestock, the first being a growing list of hay and forage sources.
We are also developing ties with the EMS community to provide pet food for pet owners who suffer from a house fire, women
escaping abusive relationships, etc.
