Apr 14, 2026
Why Your Support of the PASS Pantry Matters More Than You Might Realize
For many families, pets are core to a family’s identity — they’re an essential member of the family unit. Dogs and cats create comfort, stability, and unconditional love during times of joy and abundance and more importantly, through life’s hardest moments. When financial hardship hits, even the most devoted pet guardians can find themselves facing a daunting reality: how to keep their beloved companion fed and cared for.
That’s where our PASS Program — Positive Alternative to Shelter Surrender — steps in.
PASS works to keep pets and people together. When families are at risk of having to rehome their pet due to financial strain — whether it’s the cost of food, medical care, or other essentials — we provide the support they need to stay together.
And one of the most critical ways we do that is through our PASS Pantry. In fact, access to pet food is consistently one of the top three reasons families turn to PASS for help.
Every month, our PASS Pantry distributes approximately 4,000 pounds of pet food to community members in need. That’s enough to feed around 300 animals — 300 pets who get to stay where they belong: at home, with the people who love them.
Behind those numbers are real stories. Families navigating job loss. Individuals facing unexpected medical bills. Seniors on fixed incomes stretching every dollar. For them, a bag of pet food is more than just a meal. It’s relief, dignity, and the ability to keep their family whole.
Here’s how you can help:
Our upcoming PASS Pantry Food Drive will take place April 18–19, and it’s a simple but powerful way to make an immediate impact for our community’s pets and their families.
Donations of Purina brands like Dog Chow, Cat Chow, Purina ONE, Friskies, Fancy Feast*, can be dropped off at our main shelter location (1156 W. Cesar Chavez) or any of our five APA! Thrift store locations between 12–6 PM. If you’re unable to make it in person, you can still participate by having food delivered directly to us, or by making a monetary donation to help us purchase exactly what’s needed most.
Without this support, many of these pets would be at risk of entering already overburdened shelters. But because of the PASS Pantry, hundreds of animals each month never have to experience that disruption at all.
When you participate in our food drive, you’re not just donating pet food, you’re providing stability in a moment of crisis. You’re helping someone hold onto a source of comfort and companionship when they need it most. You’re keeping families together.
No one should have to say goodbye to a beloved pet simply because times are tough. And with your donation, they won’t have to.
*Any donations to support pets in need are welcome. Purina is a proud supporter of APA! and feeds the pets in our shelter year round!
Source: Austin Pets Alive
