At this time of giving thanks, New York’s needy pets can now feel part of the citywide celebration. The Animal Relief Fund (ARF-NY) is a new breed of charity that distributes donated pet food to hungry New Yorkers with paws.
It began after East Sider Susan Kaufman viewed a TV report about people forced to give up their pets due to the mortgage foreclosure crisis.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about what was happening to those animals,” Kaufman recalls. “I decided to create a [program] that would get pet food to people who couldn’t afford it, so they wouldn’t have to give up their pets.”
Since making its first helping handout last Thanksgiving, ARF-NY has fed hundreds of hungry pets at seven New York City locations and 70 on Long Island. Donated kibble varies according to what’s available, but has included respected brands such as Wellness and Hartz Mountain.
Kaufman was touched when her neighborhood pet-supply store, Calling All Pets, put up a sign inviting customers to donate. “People will go in and say, ‘Charge a case to my account,’” she says. “It really resonates.”
Oreo, an East Harlem pit bull, is a grateful beneficiary. “When the Yorkville Common Pantry started offering the pet food, it helped a lot,” says Martha Rosado, Oreo’s owner. “Many pets are going without eating, or they’re eating house food, because the cost of everything keeps going up,” Rosado adds. “Now Oreo is strictly on dog food.”
Troy Harrison of Brooklyn, who is disabled, has six children and four rescued cats. “I have to buy food for my kids first,” he explains. “My cats are so good, they’ll eat our leftovers.” Now, thanks to his local pantry, Bensonhurst’s Reaching Out Community Services, the feline foursome dines on kitten kibble.
Although Brooklynite Jennifer Reed is employed and gets food stamps, she and her husband still have trouble making ends meet for their five children and two cats — until Reaching Out began offering pet food.
“The pantry really helps cut costs,” says Reed. “Everybody loves their pets and wants the best for them; they’re a big part of the family.”
ARF-NY aims to stock more food pantries with donated kibble, and hopes New Yorkers will pitch in to help. To make a donation or locate a pet pantry, visit ARF-NY.org.
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