PHOENIX (Sept. 30, 2025) — Across the U.S., PetSmart Charities® estimates that 30 million pets are living in homes with people managing food insecurity. For Pet Hunger Awareness Day® (Sept. 30), PetSmart Charities is partnering with Feeding America®, which is currently observing Hunger Action Month®, to distribute pet food at local food distribution events across the country. The events aim to raise awareness about hunger on both ends of the leash and expand access to nutritious food for every family.
According to Feeding America, more than 50 million people turned to food banks for support — more than at any point in the last decade. When people face hunger, their pets can too, and 63% of Feeding America food bank representatives report that their current sources of securing pet food are not sufficient to meet the need they see*.
To address this growing need, pet parents can pick up food for themselves, as well as their cats and dogs at four Pet Hunger Awareness Day events at Feeding America partner food banks, on Sept. 30:
These events are part of PetSmart Charities’ ongoing efforts to address pet hunger, providing quarterly deliveries of pet food to Feeding America partner food banks for distribution to pet parents in communities across the country, year-round.
“As pet parents face food insecurity, those times of uncertainty can lead to many families making heartbreaking decisions — including surrendering beloved pets,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. “We want these families to know that they are not alone, and support is available. We are grateful for incredible partnerships with Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America, which help us broaden our reach by supporting efforts to get pet food to families where they turn for help. These efforts can help keep families together, and we encourage other human services agencies to consider adding services for pets, too.”
Working to Support Families and Pets, Together
According to Feeding America, 52% of neighbors report running out of food in the past year before they had money to buy more. To help those families in need, PetSmart Charities began its partnership with Feeding America in 2017 to distribute pet food through partner food banks.
Feeding America is part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meals programs committed to investing in solutions that deliver food and other resources to those experiencing food insecurity. Since the launch of this meaningful relationship, PetSmart Charities has donated nearly 70 million pounds of pet food to Feeding America for distribution across its network.
“In every community in America, people are working hard to provide for themselves and their families— people and pets alike,” said Erika Thiem, chief supply chain officer at Feeding America. “At a time when the cost of basic needs is out of reach for millions of people, hunger in America is a crisis. We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with PetSmart Charities where, together, we can meet this moment so that every family member, including pets, has the food and resources they need to thrive.”
Keeping Older Adults and Pets Together in their Homes
Caring for pets can have profound mental and physical health benefits for many older adults, reporting improved well-being and decreased loneliness. However, many senior pet owners find themselves making tough decisions to care for their pets. Meals on Wheels America found that more than 1 in 5 clients reported going without food themselves just to feed their pets.
As part of their ongoing partnership, PetSmart Charities and Meals on Wheels America reached a milestone of 15 million pet meals delivered to seniors and their furry companions across the country.
Join PetSmart Charities in Addressing Pet Hunger
To date, more than 400 million pet meals have been provided to pets in need through PetSmart Charities’ partnerships with Feeding America, Meals on Wheels America and others.
For those who want to get involved this Pet Hunger Awareness Day, they can make an impact by:
- Supporting PetSmart Charities programs including pet food distribution by donating online or at the checkout at their local PetSmart store
- Donating pet food and supplies to their local food bank or animal shelter
- Raising awareness for pets in need on social media
Throughout September, PetSmart stores will also be hosting donation drives where the pet community can donate funds at checkout and have the option to donate Treats Rewards points to PetSmart Charities. All donations will go directly to PetSmart Charities to help pets in need.
To learn more about PetSmart Charities Pet Hunger Awareness Day, visit petsmartcharities.org.
*Food Bank Survey Conducted by PetSmart Charities in Collaboration with Feeding America
About PetSmart Charities
PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps up to 400,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. PetSmart Charities grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crises with access to food, shelter and disaster response. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart® stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase fair access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living, and employment.
We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit www.FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.
About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. By providing funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
