Food Stamps For Pets? New York Non-Profit to Aid for Pet Owners in Need [VIDEO]

A New York based non-profit organization Pet Food Stamps is working to provide food stamps for pets.

The program hopes to provide food stamps for pets of low-income families and food stamp recipients who otherwise can't afford to feed their animals.

Although the program has barely launched, the response is overwhelming as reports indicate of receiving over 12,000 requests for help.

Currently the program is only receiving online application however plans to accept them through mail once they move to its new office.

The organization states on their website, "The Pet Food Stamps program ... has been created to fill the void in the United States Food Stamp program which excludes the purchase of pet food and pet supplies. In these rough economic times, many pet owners are forced to abandon their beloved pet to the ASPCA, North Shore Animal League or other animal shelters due to the inability to pay for their basic food supply and care ... As more families struggle with difficult choices like paying the rent or buying food, some have to choose between keeping their pet and putting food on the table."

The organization relies on private donations for funding and their non-profit status is still pending.

Program organizers hope to provide financial assistance to prevent low-income pet owners from abandoning their pets, once the families income is verified, the families will receive pet food each month from Pet Food Direct for six-months to anyone in the United States.

"We're not looking for government funding at this point," founder and executive director told ABC News. "Should the government be willing to provide assistance further down the line, we will look into it."

It seems the program will help to keep some pets out of shelters and rescues, or off the streets. As they provide struggling families an opportunity to take care and keep their beloved pets.

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