Demand for Pet Food Pantries Increases in Boston Area Amid Rising Living Costs

The Boston area has experienced an increase in demand for pet food pantries as the cost of living continues to rise. This trend coincides with recent federal reductions to programs such as SNAP and Medicaid, which support low-income individuals. Pet owners are turning to these resources to afford pet food amid financial pressures.

YmaNini LaCourt, 65, adopted her Chihuahua-mix dog Mizzo during the pandemic. After losing her job, she now works part-time for less than $20 per hour, which covers limited expenses including pet food. LaCourt described Mizzo as part of her life and has relied on local pantries for support.

E. program, which stands for Supporting Animals and Families Everyday. The program provides pet food to owners in Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury. Edward Schettino, president of the league, stated that the initiative aims to keep pets with their families.

E. program and a similar statewide program by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) has increased this year compared to 2024. 5 million in 2025. Clients typically receive half of their pet's monthly food needs, visiting sites like the Lawrence YMCA, Hyde Park's Helping Plates, and the Falmouth Service Center two to four times per year for about $50 worth of food each time.

Alyssa Krieger, director of community outreach for the MSPCA, noted that pet owners often prioritize pet food over their own meals when finances are limited. Many adoptions occurred during the pandemic when people spent more time at home. The league conducts more than 25 deliveries per month, supplying dog and cat food, cat litter, and items for birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other pets.

Betty Strickland, 73, from Dorchester, receives monthly deliveries of about $80 worth of cat food and litter through the program. This assistance has enabled her to pay off her 2019 Toyota Yaris. Strickland's husband died in 2018 from health issues stemming from a 2008 shooting during a home robbery; a friend gave her a cat named Leah for companionship.

Leah, a long-haired white and tabby cat, had dental problems from her time as a stray kitten and requires canned food. Strickland described Leah as well-behaved and a source of company. Neighbors refer to Leah with a royal honorific due to her demeanor.