Some city-funded food pantries will begin offering pet food next week for the first time — as part of the Mamdani administration’s effort to help New Yorkers afford to keep their pets.
Starting on Monday, 22 food pantries will provide dog and cat food using about $500,000 in city funding, city officials said.
Pantries cite growing demand for pet food as owners struggle to feed themselves and their pets. But few places in the city offer free pet food. With rising costs and tighter budgets, officials said many New Yorkers are surrendering their pets, crowding animal shelters…