NOTICE: Our Low Cost Veterinary Clinic and Pet Food Pantry receive over 200 calls per hour; please be patient as we get back to you. This facility is the first-of-its-kind in the country and families all over our community are trying hard to get the care for their pet they’ve been waiting for. We want to help you just as badly as you want to help your pet! Please know that we are working hard to serve as many people as possible and expand that service where we can. See you soon friends!

Pet Food Pantry

Columbus Humane Essential Care Center

Supplemental Pet Food Assistance

The Columbus Humane Essential Care Center serves local residents who love their pets and struggle to afford pet food.  Many of our clients live paycheck-to-paycheck, participate in government assistance programs, face barriers securing enough food for everyone in their family AND want the very best for their pets. We provide nutritious pet food for pet families who need occasional assistance feeding their loved ones. Our work is made possible through generous donations from organizations and individuals.

Schedule an Appointment

Appointments are available weekly and can be made online at the button below. Appointments are required. Upon arrival at the Columbus Humane Essential Care Center, navigate to the drive-thru for check-in and assistance. We look forward to serving you!

Columbus Humane Essential Care Center

PET FAMILY RESOURCES

Resources for pet families experience financial hardship looking for low cost veterinary care, emergency boarding, emergency veterinary care and other pet food pantries in Central Ohio.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I get free pet food and supplies?

The Pet Food Pantry program is available by appointment. You can schedule an appointment by visiting www.columbushumane.org/petfood and clicking the orange “Make Appointment” button.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes, appointments are required for pet food pantry services and veterinary services. Appointments can be made at the button above.

When are new appointments posted?

New appointments for the Pet Food Pantry are posted most weekday mornings by 10:00 AM for the following business day(s). The number of offered appointment times are limited to donation quantities and available resources.

Do I need to provide proof of identity?

Yes. You, or a member of your household, may be asked to provide proof of identity during your first scheduled visit and/or subsequent scheduled visits. Some common forms of acceptable identification include:

• A Driver’s license that is not expired

• A birth certificate

• A passport that is not expired

• A U.S. government, military, state, or Tribal issued ID that is not expired

• A Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, or Consular Matricular ID

How often can I visit?

The Pet Food Pantry program is intended to provide occasional supplemental support for your household throughout the year. It is not intended to be the primary source of pet food for all of the pets in your home on a consistent basis.

You should plan on purchasing additional pet food after receiving supplemental supplies from the Pet Food Pantry.

Your household is eligible to pick up pet food (with an appointment) 30 days from your household’s last visit.

Why are there no appointments available when I try to schedule online?

We are able to open as many appointments as there are resources available; the number of offered appointments each day fluctuates depending on how much pet food and supplies we have available to distribute. If you do not see any open appointments, then we are fully booked and working to secure additional donations – check back with us soon!

What kind of species do you serve?

Currently, the Columbus Humane Essential Care Center can serve dogs and domestic cats in our veterinary clinic and pet food pantry. We do occasionally have pocket pet food and supplies in our Pet Food Pantry. Our pet food pantry is intended to feed domestic, indoor cats–ask us about our community cat program if you are caring for colonies of stray or feral cats.

How much pet food do you provide?

We are typically able to provide one bag of dry dog kibble, one bag of dry cat food and/or several cartons of wet cat food, and cat litter. Selection and quantities are subject to change based on current inventory. Additional pet food pantry resources can be found here on our website.

Can I sell the items I receive through this program?

No. Since our program is entirely supported by donations, we ask that you do not sell any items you receive. Clients who are found to be selling products received through the program will no longer be able to utilize the Pet Food Pantry program.

What type of food and supplies do you offer?

Our selection of pet food brands and blends is limited to what has been donated. We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary needs (for example, grain free or small bite) but cannot always guarantee what food is available.

Other pet items – such as pet beds, dog crates, cat trees, toys, treats, collars, leashes, etc. – are sometimes available.

Do you have prescription food?

Yes, with a prescription from a veterinarian permitting. Please email petfood@columbushumane.org to check if we carry your pet’s prescription.

Can someone else pick up for me?

No. You, or a member of your household, must be present at the time of your appointment to receive pet food.

What do you consider a household?

A household is a group of people who live together and share resources (even if they are not related to each other). Resources may include income, food, utilities, school and/or work supplies, transportation, and/or medical insurance coverage.

If you live together and share resources, you are one household. If you live together and don’t share resources, you are 2+ households.

One Household Examples

• A married couple who live together

• A parent/guardian and child who live together

• A group of adults who live together and share resources

Multiple Household Examples

• 4 roommates who live together but do not share resources or expenses are 4 households

• 30 seniors who live in an assisted-living home are 30 households

Do you provide food for feral cats, cat colonies, or outdoor stray cats?

No. The Pet Food Pantry program is intended for owned, domestic pet cats. We simply do not have enough pet food to sustain cat colonies.

You can learn about the Community Cat Initiative (CCI) and find resources for feral and stray cats at www.columbushumane.org/cci.

Do you offer home delivery?

No. We do not currently offer home delivery. However, if you have exhausted all options of transportation and are in emergency need of pet food, please call us at 614-777-7387.

How can I donate food and/or supplies to the Pet Food Pantry?

You can donate pet food (new or open) and pet supplies (new or gently used) to our main shelter located at 3015 Scioto Darby Ct, Hilliard, OH. You can drop off or ship items to us 7-days-per-week during business hours.

How are you funded?

Columbus Humane is a local, nonprofit founded in 1883. We are overwhelmingly funded by generous individuals in our community. We rely heavily on the support of our community to provide the highest quality of care to pets and their people. Our teaching programs and generous donations from our community make it possible for us to keep our prices very low.