Moment of Paws: When feeding pets becomes a struggle – Dorchester Reporter
No one should ever have to choose between feeding themselves and their pets. Yet for the 1.1 million Massachusetts’ residents whose budgets are affected by current events and changes in family food support, this hardship is a stark reality.
Many of our family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues are experiencing food insecurity, leading to an increase in stress and serious health risks from poor nutrition. And when people go hungry, their pets go hungry, too.
Pets are family. They give us unconditional love in return for our meeting their basic needs of food, water, shelter, and care. A companion animal also drastically improves our physical and mental well-being, especially during these uncertain times. But what happens during a national hunger crisis when putting kibble into the bowl is a challenge?
The cost of owning a pet is rising rapidly. The average cost of food, supplies, and routine veterinary care for a cat or dog is over $1,000 annually. When this high cost is combined with an emergency – such as a sudden health issue, a change in housing, or another unforeseen circumstance – owners face the difficult decision of what to do next.
Fortunately, organizations like the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) are here to help. ARL provides pet food and essential supplies to clients living in Greater Boston and on Cape Cod who are facing financial hurdles. In 2025 so far, ARL has provided meals to 1,524 pets on a monthly basis
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