Pet Food and Essential Supplies

Pet food banks are run by animal charities, community groups, veterinary practices, churches and ordinary food banks. There is no single national list, so it is worth trying more than one route.

• Use the Blue Cross and RSPCA pet food bank finders below.
• Ask your usual veterinary practice whether it knows of local schemes.
• Ask your local food bank whether it also holds pet food.
• Ask your council, library or community hub about local support groups.
• Ask a local rescue or rehoming centre whether it runs a pet food or supplies scheme.

When you contact a service, ask what identification or paperwork they need, whether a referral is required, how much they can give and how often you may return.

Blue Cross runs and supports pet food banks in a number of areas and keeps a current list on its website. Locations, stock and eligibility depend on the individual scheme, so check before travelling.

The RSPCA has a pet food bank finder and wider cost-of-living information for pet owners, including advice on veterinary costs and everyday care. Support offered varies from area to area.

Cats Protection’s Community Kitty works with food banks and local partners to get cat food and essentials to people who need them. It operates through partner organisations rather than as a nationwide service, so help is not available everywhere.

Ordinary food banks, community pantries, warm spaces, faith groups and mutual-aid groups sometimes hold pet food alongside food for people. It is always worth asking, even if pets are not mentioned on their website.

• Explain how many animals you have and what they normally eat.
• Ask whether you need a referral from a support worker, GP surgery or council.
• Ask whether they can also help with litter, bedding or other essentials.
• Ask when you can collect and whether someone else may collect for you.

If money is the wider problem, help with living costs, energy bills and benefits may also be available.

Pet food banks and animal organisations sometimes hold more than food. It is worth asking about:

• Dog food, wet and dry
• Cat food, wet and dry
• Food for small animals, birds and rabbits
• Cat litter
• Bedding and blankets
• Bowls for food and water
• Leads, harnesses and collars
• Carriers and travel boxes
• Flea and worming treatment, where a scheme can provide it
• Grooming basics and poo bags

Stock changes constantly and nothing can be guaranteed, but asking costs nothing.

Sudden changes of food can upset an animal’s stomach. Where you can, change food gradually over several days by mixing a small amount of the new food into the old and slowly increasing it.

• Introduce new food slowly whenever the situation allows.
• Watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, refusing food or unusual tiredness.
• Keep fresh drinking water available at all times.
• Check that the food is suitable for the animal’s species, age and size.

If your pet is fed a diet prescribed for a medical condition, speak to a veterinary professional before changing it.

Do not switch to human food or a homemade diet without professional guidance. Some everyday human foods are harmful to animals, and homemade diets can easily miss nutrients an animal needs.

Small changes can help while money is short, as long as the animal’s health and wellbeing come first.

• Ask your veterinary practice about payment plans or health-plan options.
• Check whether you qualify for reduced-cost veterinary treatment through PDSA, Blue Cross or an RSPCA clinic.
• Buy larger bags or multipacks only if you can store them safely and dry.
• Keep up with preventive care, as untreated problems usually cost more later.
• Accept second-hand beds, bowls and blankets from friends or local groups.

Do not stop essential medication or delay urgent veterinary care to save money. Ask the practice about costs before treatment and tell them if you are struggling.

Blue Cross and the RSPCA both provide current pet-food-bank finders, while Cats Protection’s Community Kitty works with food banks and local partners to support cat owners. We cannot promise that help, stock or eligibility is available everywhere.

• Blue Cross – find a pet food bank (opens in a new tab)
• RSPCA – find a pet food bank (opens in a new tab)
• RSPCA – cost-of-living help for pet owners (opens in a new tab)
• Cats Protection – Community Kitty (opens in a new tab)