Free pet food distribution for SNAP recipients hosted by Chicago Animal Care and Control

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Animal Care and Control was able to host a pet food pantry to support owners impacted by the recent SNAP benefit pause amid the government shutdown.

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“Now with the shutdown and everything going on, this is a blessing,” Sylvia Leyva said.

When financial support came to a halt for thousands of families nationwide, pet owners said it became tricky to keep up with pet costs.

CACC stepped up on Wednesday to alleviate some of that stress by handing out cat and dog food for free.

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“We don’t want any pet to go unfed. We don’t want you, the public, to choose to feed yourself or your pet. We want you to be able to keep your pet in your home. The last place we want your pet is to end up at a shelter because you can’t feed them,” Susan Cappello, acting executive director of CACC, said.

People were already lined up by 7:30 a.m.

“To have to be in these lines to get what you need, and I’m disabled, so it’s a lot on my back,” Jackie Smith said.

“Look at all the cars and all the people in line, it shows that some people in the world still care,” Sylvia Leyva said.

Chicago Animal Care and Control said they had enough supplies for roughly 400 households.