Edward Johnston Jr. would rather give his dinner to his dog than watch the dog go hungry. That is why the 59-year-old Mississippi man is petitioning the Department of Agriculture to let him use food stamps on kibble and pet treats.
Pets are part of the family, Johnston argued, and families should not have to break up when they hit what he calls a “financial rough patch.” He is asking that the federal government modify food-stamp rules to make it easier for low-income people like him to buy food for their pets.
www.cjonline.com/zz/shareable/20180128/advocates-make-argument-for-extending-food-stamps-to-pets
These groups say allowing food stamps to be used for pet food could potentially keep tens of thousands of animals out of shelters and prevent low-income people from cutting their pets’ meals.
“It’s potentially game-changing,” said Matt Bershadker, the president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “I think we should get behind this in a big way.”
I think this makes sense. I’ve always been a hard ass about people abusing social programs but pets aren’t abusing it. Let the them eat, keep them out of shelters, let them reduce stress on their owners.
I know someone is going to say… What about their vet bills and flea medicine. I think there’s services for people that need those kinds of temporary relief but I’m not sure
This seems a little high..
Food for dogs and cats averages $235 per year, according to the Pet Products Association.
www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/01/23/the-surprising-argument-for-extending-food-stamps-to-pets/?utm_term=.19976d5faf02
I already donate a little from every paycheck and my company matches, to our local no kill shelter.
h/t Flyover County