For many pet owners, feeding a dog or cat is not something they can simply skip when money gets tight. Pets are family, and watching them go hungry can be heartbreaking. But with groceries, rent, utilities, and other household expenses competing for attention, keeping a furry friend well-fed can become another financial challenge.
Now, New York City is offering some relief. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has announced a $500,000 initiative to provide free dog and cat food through 22 food pantries across all five boroughs. The program is designed to help struggling residents care for their pets without choosing between buying groceries and buying food for their animal companions…