The Friendship Pet Food Pantry provides free, nutritious dog and cat food for Chicago residents who are in need of temporary assistance to feed their pets.

Pet Food Distribution
Third Saturday of every month: 9 – 11 a.m.

2024 Dates
Jan. 20 | Feb. 17 | Mar. 16 | Apr. 20 | May 18 | Jun. 15 | Jul. 20 | Aug. 17 | Sep. 21 | Oct. 19 | Nov. 9* | Dec. 14*

*Due to holiday giveaways at The Friendship Center, distribution will be the 2nd Saturday of November and December 2024

Food & Other Items
In addition to providing dog and cat food, the pantry can usually provide kitty litter, treats and, when available, leashes, bowls and new or gently used toys.

Residency
Anyone who lives in the city of Chicago is eligible for assistance; there are no zip code or income requirements. Please bring a valid I.D. and proof of spay/neuter each time you visit. We will try to assist you in finding a location for low-cost veterinary services if needed.

Please view the full guidelines for receiving pet food assistance prior to your first visit.

Why a Pet Food Pantry?

The Friendship Pet Food Pantry’s mission is to keep Chicago families and their pets together. We do this by providing high-quality pet food and supplies to families experiencing financial hardship so no one is forced to decide between caring for themselves and caring for their companion animals. Pets are family members, too; sometimes they are the only family a person has.

The Pet Pantry serves an average 150 dogs and 300 cats per month. We also refer pet owners to local veterinary services for low-cost spaying and neutering. Our efforts help to reduce the number of dogs and cats surrendered to shelters or abandoned each year because their owners cannot afford food or veterinary care.

The Friendship Pet Food Pantry was founded by community members in 2013 before becoming a permanent program of The Friendship Center. Read more about its history.

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