Houston Humane Society's Pet Pantry supports Houston residents in caring for their pets by providing free pet food and supplies. The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected the Houston community causing pet owners to experience financial difficulties. Via the creation of our Pet Resources programs, we keep pets and families together.
The Pet Resources program provides assistance to the community in multiple ways: public Pet Pantry events across the Greater Houston area, an application-based Monthly Assistance Program, New Home New Start, Fix Felix and Friends For Free, and assisting those who are experiencing homelessness.
In order to help as many pets as possible, Houston Humane Society partners with local organizations and officials to bring pet food to the community in Houston at various locations. Please click the button below to see the upcoming dates and locations of our Pet Pantry events.
Once you arrive at a Pet Pantry location, please remain in your car and form a line. A staff/volunteer will provide a registration form for you to complete. The form will be picked up as you proceed in line and the pet food will be placed in the trunk of your car.
Our pet food will be provided on a first come first serve basis and distributed until supply is depleted. Note: some Pet Pantry events are busier than others, thus we may run out of food before the stated end time. Additionally, some events are combined with other services such as Food Banks, Vaccine Clinics, etc., and may affect the usual distribution process and lines.
To print the obligatory Pet Pantry form and fill it out in advance, please click here to download.
To further assist people in need, Houston Humane Society’s Pet Pantry has created a Monthly Assistance Program for those that require a more long-term solution in feeding their animals. Our goal is to increase the ability of pet owners to keep pets at home and off the streets by providing free pet food. With this temporary assistance, Houston Humane Society helps pets and their families stay together which would otherwise not be possible.
Proof of income verification or enrollment in a government assistance program is required. Accepted applicants can receive free pet food once a month for up to 6 months. To qualify, all dogs and cats in the household must be spayed/neutered. Note: if accepted into the 6-month assistance program, we do not recommend the addition of more pets into the household and ask to be notified if a new addition occurs. To apply, please fill out the application below.
The Pet Resources Programs are intended to supplement the needs of your pets. Voluntary participation in any of our programs releases the Houston Humane Society (HHS) from all liability. These programs may not provide an entire month's worth of food nor are they meant to support pets permanently. HHS is not responsible for the complete care of the owner's pets. HHS operates completely on a donation basis; therefore specific food types, brands, and supplies are not guaranteed. HHS reserves the right to refuse assistance to anyone.
FAQs
- Dry food: Cat food is packed into 4 lb bags and dog food is packed into 10 lb bags. Exact quantities fluctuate depending on our supply and the weight of your pet(s).
- Wet food: May be provided upon request depending on availability. If your pets solely eat wet food, please email petresources@houstonhumane.org in advance to notify us of this diet restriction.
- Yes, we will do our best to fulfill requests. All food is donated and brands/types of food are not guaranteed. Please email petresources@houstonhumane.org with any special needs (puppy/kitten, senior, weight control, grain-free, etc.) and we will do our best to accommodate.
- Food cannot be guaranteed for more than 3 dogs and 3 cats per household.
- The Pet Pantry program is designed to supplement the food you are able to provide; we are unable to become your sole resource of pet food.
- The addition of more pets into the household while enrolled in our Monthly Assistance Program may result in forfeit of enrollment. The cost of care for a single pet is estimated to be $1,000 or greater each year.
- If you are going to an offsite event, please check our events calendar for locations each week.
- If you’re an approved Monthly Assistance Program participant, pet food can be picked up at 14700 Almeda Rd., Houston, TX 77053.
- Public Pet Pantry events are first come first serve basis and do not require pre-registration. However, some events are busier than others so keep in mind that we may run out of food before the scheduled end time.
- We do not accept walk-ins at the shelter. To pick up food at the shelter, a confirmed appointment is required. Please speak with a Pet Resource team member if you are needing emergency assistance.
- We only bring cat & dog food to each offsite event. If you have birds and/or a small mammal (bunny/rabbit, ferret, guinea pig, etc.) please email petresources@houstonhumane.org. Please be aware that we rarely receive non-dog & cat food donations and may not always have these in stock.
- We do not provide food for livestock (chickens, pigs, cows, horses, or other animals) that are not considered household pets.
- The HHS Pet Pantry is open to any pet owner that is experiencing economic hardship and needs temporary assistance in feeding their pet(s).
- No, not at all! The food used by our Pet Pantry program is donated specifically for the Pet Pantry. If you want to donate food for this amazing program, please go here.
- You are welcome to email petresources@houstonhumane.org or call/text (832) 776-0481 with any questions or concerns, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
- All donations go to keeping our life-saving program running!
- We also accept cash or physical donations in person at the shelter or our public events.
- No, Houston Humane Society's pet pantry is appointment only at our facility or first-come-first-serve at our public distributions. We are unable to meet anyone outside of our scheduled events around the Houston area. Please check our Events Calendar for a public distribution closer to you!
I'm appreciative of the help that the Houston Humane Society is giving in providing food for my adorable pets.
Buen trabajo que están haciendo aquí en la labor para los animalitos. Que también son animales y necesitan su alimentación. Y que bueno que empezaron a dar esto desde una buena hora. Gracias.