Pet Foodstamp Program Started for Low-Income Families

[Dusty]

The program doesn't piss me off as much as the Coke thing.

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/05/06/p...come-families/

NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – There is no question that some individuals and families across North Texas and the nation have had to ‘tighten their belts’ during rough economic times. Now one organization is focused on the pets belonging to those people.

The non-profit Pet Food Stamps program is looking to help provide food for the pets of low-income families. Organizers say often the only option for poor pet owners is to abandon their family pet to the ASPCA or a high-kill shelter. “We feel that should not happen and provide free pet food to prevent that decision [high-kill shelter] from happening,” Pet Food Stamps founder Marc Okon explained.



Given that pet owners need to vaccinate their animals and provide other sometimes costly care, petfoodstamps.org is meant to help pick up the slack and help those who are less economically fortunate.

Anyone receiving public assistance through the United States Food Stamp program is prohibited from using the funds to purchase pet food and supplies. “There is zero ability to use food stamp money in any state in the U.S. for any pet food whatsoever, even though you are able to use food stamps for unhealthy things like Coca-Cola (which gets about $4 billion a year from food stamps),” Okon said.

To keep Americans from having to choose between feeding their pets or themselves, dog and cat owners currently receiving public assistance can apply for help. A new, updated petfoodstamps.org website will be operational by the end of the month and Okon says anyone interested can, “Go to our website, petfoodstamps.org, fill out the application, and within six to eight weeks you get a call back. [You] verify that you are receiving public assistance, by getting an award letter of benefits from the state agency providing the benefits.”

Applicants will also need to provide a photocopy of their state identification and the address on the ID must match the address on the public assistance award letter. “Once all that is verified you then get enrolled to get six months of free home delivery of pet food from petflow.com,” Okon said. “And in six months time if you still need the service you’re able to reapply without a wait for another six months.

According to petfoodstamps.org, there are some 50 million Americans, who currently receive Food Stamps and each year seven million pets are surrendered to shelters because of inability to provide care.

Petfoodstamps.org primarily provides food assistance for dogs and cats, but occasionally supplies bird food as well. The website is also developing a pet and pet owner social network.

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[nousdefions]

If a private organization wishes to distribute charitable funds, I've got no problems with it. However, if they're taking public money (i.e. tax dollars), then we got a problem.

Originally Posted by Dusty

The program doesn't piss me off as much as the Coke thing.

Anyone receiving public assistance through the United States Food Stamp program is prohibited from using the funds to purchase pet food and supplies. “There is zero ability to use food stamp money in any state in the U.S. for any pet food whatsoever, even though you are able to use food stamps for unhealthy things like Coca-Cola (which gets about $4 billion a year from food stamps),” Okon said.

Snip

I've seen people buy a lot of things on the prohibited list using EBT cards. I'm sure lots of welfare bucks are going to Ralston-Purina also.

P.S. I've always figured that strays were potential survival rations.....

[Sacamuelas]

Originally Posted by nousdefions

If a private organization wishes to distribute charitable funds, I've got no problems with it. However, if they're taking public money (i.e. tax dollars), then we got a problem.

I could not agree more. These do-gooders are more than welcome to do this privately. It shouldn't be tax exempt or government supported.

[cat in the hat]

I would rather see legal pets fed than illegal immigrants.

[Requiem]

I know a woman on food stamps who purchased a $800 dog. (Not with the food stamps.) Not sure how she feeds the thing, but obviously she's got extra money lying around.

I'm not opposed to private funds helping people feed their animals if it means the animals don't get abandoned. There are also benefits of pet ownership, such as companionship and protection that the elderly, or the disabled, need, but can't always afford.

S.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Requiem

I'm not opposed to private funds helping people feed their animals if it means the animals don't get abandoned. There are also benefits of pet ownership, such as companionship and protection that the elderly, or the disabled, need, but can't always afford.

S.

Privately funded pet ownership for people who truly need a dog doesn't bother me; I condone it. IMO, someone who can't make enough money to support themselves and don't need an animal should be required to spend the money they use to feed their pets on themselves before using taxpayer money to feed the pet.

The part of the article that infuriates me is the Coke illustration. It's akin to crony capitalism, and is a microcosmic example of lib hypocrisy.

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by Dusty

The part of the article that infuriates me is the Coke illustration. It's akin to crony capitalism, and is a microcosmic example of lib hypocrisy.

Agree with you, 100%. Food stamps should be limited to purchasing fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread products, beans, rice, dairy, and meat. (Kids get those fatty, sugary items in their free meals at school, don't they? )

Susan

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Agree with you, 100%. Food stamps should be limited to purchasing fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread products, beans, rice, dairy, and meat. (Kids get those fatty, sugary items in their free meals at school, don't they? )

Susan

I think free cell phones is going too far, as well.

Ties into immigration. If people can't find a job now and need government assistance, why drop another eleven million into the mix who can't find a job?

Makes about as much sense as the stimulus idea.

[miclo18d]

Originally Posted by Dusty

I think free cell phones is going too far, as well.

Ties into immigration. If people can't find a job now and need government assistance, why drop another eleven million into the mix who can't find a job?

Makes about as much sense as the stimulus idea.

The sad part is they have jobs. Jobs that jobless [lazy] Americans won't work because they are "holding out for that managers position". [while they collect 92 weeks of unemployment playing MW3 down in mom's basement.



I think that anyone on food stamps and/or welfare should be wards of the state and put in gubmint housing with strict military barracks type rules. The lazy ones will get a job just so they don't have to have a room inspection!

Oh and in my world, they wouldn't be ALLOWED to have pets because they can't even feed themselves!

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by miclo18d

I think that anyone on food stamps and/or welfare should be wards of the state and put in gubmint housing with strict military barracks type rules.

At least require drug testing, mandatory birth control, X number of hours of volunteer work, and a cap on benefits. In lieu of volunteer work, high school or college classes may be substituted. Welfare should be a helping hand, not a way of life.

In the '70s, my mom, newly divorced with two young girls (and no child support from a dead-beat ex), went back to school and earned her master's degree. During that time we were on food stamps. We ate a lot of rice and beans, had a garden, and never saw junk food. We had hand-me-down clothing and I don't think my mom ever bought herself anything. With her new MS in maternal and child nursing she went on to a long career in teaching. That's the way food stamps should work.

Susan

[Requiem]

Oh and in my world, they wouldn't be ALLOWED to have pets because they can't even feed themselves!

<snort> My husband was hit up for money by a couple who couldn't afford ferret food. WTH?

S.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Requiem

With her new MS in maternal and child nursing she went on to a long career in teaching. That's the way food stamps should work.

Susan

As in any other system, there are those who take advantage. I'd bet your mom is a rare exception to the norm today.

Some welfare programs are good. It's not easy to say where the line is crossed between welfare and socialism, but it's the easiest arena for socialists to make gains-along with gun and food control.

Fact is, the states who are most tightly influence by the government in these areas are the same ones, for the most part, who are in the deepest water with regard to crime and poverty.

It's a glaring fact, but the general public is blinded to it by lib manipulation.

[pcfixer]

I still tell my kids and grand kids that there are such things as luxury items, those include, candy, sodas, pets and pet foods ...etc.

Point is when you have bills, mortgage and food for your family those come first.