Sometimes, when people face economic problems, they are forced to give up what they love: their pets. Lack of resources prevents them from continuing to care for their companion animals, and they have to leave them in institutions and shelters.
The annual upkeep of a pet costs a minimum of €500. €150 is allocated to cover basic medical costs required by law (deworming and vaccinations) and €400 for food and other expenses. Therefore, the crisis has significantly exacerbated cases of neglect of domestic animals and, in the worst cases, abandonment.
This situation is dramatic. It hurts just to imagine it, doesn't it? That's why some people have decided to take action and gather their strength and resources to help these owners stay with their pets. This is how animal food banks emerged.
Like the recently opened Community Pet Food Bank of Southern Arizona. This non-profit organization provides aid to the most needy families, so they can continue to care for their pets. To better reach the community, they operate with mobile distribution centers that travel around the city. This way, families can request the necessary help monthly.
This initiative excites and inspires us. But it also makes us wonder what is happening in Spain. Are there pet food banks? Where are they?
Ponferrada Pet Food Bank. Its objective is that no dog or cat in the city goes hungry; as well as minimizing abandonment due to lack of resources and raising public awareness about responsible pet ownership.
Seville Pet Food Bank. In its three years of existence, this food bank, promoted by the Animal Protection Association Los Angeles de Lora, has managed to organize the largest collection of feed ever made in Andalusia, with a very ambitious goal: to collect 10,000 kilos of feed.
Madrid Animalist Food Bank. It was founded in 2013 with the wonderful goal of donating 2,000 kilos of food per month, both to individuals and to shelters or refuges that are going through a difficult time.
León Pet Food Bank. Launched by the neighborhood platform “MásQPerros,” its members are responsible for collecting food and distributing it at different points in the city.
BAMA (Alicante Pet Food Bank). This wonderful initiative emerged thanks to Inma, an animal lover and advocate for their rights. The project lasted approximately one year, but since March 2015, it has been paused, due to a lack of new donors joining the cause.
If you need to request assistance from a pet food bank, we recommend checking the guidelines of the nearest food bank to learn how to do so. Also, if you wish to make a donation, either financial or "in kind," to any of these entities, as each of them has its own protocols.
If you know of other pet food banks, we would appreciate it if you could share the information in the comments. With the help of all Aristopeters, we can amplify the good work being done in the few (but enormous) pet food banks we have in Spain, serve as a loudspeaker for them, and help spread the example and inspiration among animal lovers who are in a more favorable situation. So don't stop sharing this post!