Pet Food Pantry Goes Mobile

In the wake of the Eaton Fire, the need for pet food in our community has drastically increased. This can be attributed to many factors; people losing their homes, their jobs, paying more for rent, many other reasons. No matter the reason, Pasadena Humane has proactively been working with organizations providing human services to provide for their pets as well.

Since early February, Pasadena Humane staff and volunteers have partnered with YMCA and LA Foodbank to set up pop-up pet food pantries in the San Gabriel Valley. Locating the pantries where people in need receive other services makes for a one-stop-shop. Mobile Pet Food Pantries are scheduled three times a week scheduled until the end of April, with a likelihood of extending them as necessary.

The Pet Food Pantry at Pasadena Humane operates seven days a week out of the underground parking garage at the shelter on Raymond Ave. Clients can drive through to get food, supplies, toys, crates and whatever else they need to help care for their pets, free of charge. Operating in conjunction with the shelter’s Helping Paws program, community members can also access low or no-cost spay neuter and vaccine services.

One Pantry volunteer, Bella, explains how difficult it can be for the many clients who have lost their homes, “People who have lost everything come by, see what we have to offer, and are overwhelmed. We have to guide them through to make sure they aren’t forgetting anything; Do you need a crate? How about some toys?, It’s been incredibly rewarding to be able to assist in this very small way.”

In 2025 alone, over 120,000 pounds of food has been provided to pets and their people in the community, and the expectation is the need will continue indefinitely.