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List of free pet food pantries and supplies in California.
Across California, many animal shelters, nonprofit organizations, and community pantries provide free pet food and basic supplies to people who are struggling financially. These programs help low-income households, seniors, veterans, and people facing a temporary hardship keep their pets fed and cared for during difficult times. The free pet food pantries in CA listed on this page operate at the local level and are often connected to other local groups.
Assistance may include a wide range of goods. This can be free dog or cat food, cat litter, collars, leashes, and in some limited cases medications or flea prevention. Each pet food bank / pantry will provide free stuff depending on donations and availability. Some locations focus only on emergency food support, while others may also offer, in addition to pet food, low-cost or limited free veterinary services for qualified households. Availability varies widely by county and city, so contacting the organization directly before visiting is always recommended.
The goal of these programs is to reduce pet surrender caused by financial hardship. By helping families care for their animals during a temporary crisis, many of these organizations aim to keep dogs or cats safely housed and with the people who already love them.
These California organizations depend on community support, donations and volunteers are essential. People who are able to donate unopened pet food, gently used supplies, or other pet necessities are encouraged to do so. Volunteering time to help distribute food or organize supplies also helps ensure these services remain available for families in need throughout California.
Locations of free dog or cat food and pet supplies in California
The free pet food pantries and distribution centers listed below serve specific cities, counties, or regions of California and operate with limited hours. Supplies are often distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability of what may or may not be given out depends on current donations, with Feeding Pets of the Homeless (website: https://petsofthehomeless.org/get-help/state-resources/) being another option if needed. Some locations require proof of income, residency, or household need, while others provide assistance without formal screening.
Calling ahead before visiting a location is recommended. If a pantry cannot meet your immediate need, many organizations can provide referrals to additional local resources for pet food or low-cost veterinary care.
Northern California & North Coast
Below includes pet food banks the Bay Area, Sacramento Valley, and far northern counties.
- Alameda Animal Shelter - 1590 Fortmann Way, Alameda, CA 94501 | 510-337-8565. For people that may need to give up their pet as they can’t afford to feed them, the shelter will try to provide food from the pet pantry, supplies, basic vet care and other support when possible.
- Anderson Cottonwood Christian Assistance, - 2979 East Center St., Anderson, CA 96007 | 530-365-4220
- AnimalSave - 520 E. Main St., Ste A, Grass Valley, CA 95945 | 530-271-7071
- Berkeley Humane - 2700 Ninth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 | 510-845-7735
- Chico Homeless Animal Outreach - P.O. Box 762, Chico, CA 95927 | 530-680-0002
- CITYTEAM Oakland - 722 Washington St., Oakland, CA 94607 | 510-452-3758
- City and County of San Francisco (ACC) - 1200 15th St., San Francisco, CA 94103 | 415-554-6364
- Episcopal Community Services - Next Door - 1001 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109 | 415-292-2180
- Fort Bragg Food Bank - 910 N. Main St., Fort Bragg, CA 95437 | 707-964-9404
- Furry Friends Pet Relief - 516 W 2nd Street, Antioch, CA 94509 | 925-240-3178. A small pet food pantry helps low-income residents get food. Canned cat or dog food, crates, litter for a cat and other goods may be passed out.
- Grace In Action, Inc. - P.O. Box 73844, Davis, CA 95617 | 530-792-1053
- Hospitality House of Grass Valley - 1262 Sutton Way, Grass Valley, CA 95945 | 530-271-7144
- Jesus Center - 1297 Park Ave, Chico, CA 95928 | 530-345-2640
- Loaves and Fishes - 1321 North C St. Ste. 22, Sacramento, CA 95811 | 916-446-0874. Whether it is canned or bag food for a dog or cat, or referrals to charitable vets in the community, resources are offered when possible to struggling people.
- Martinez Animal Shelter (Contra Costa Animal Services) - 4800 Imhoff Place, Martinez, CA 94553 | 925-608-8400
- Nevada County Pets in Need - 122 Race St., Grass Valley, CA 95945 | 530-802-3666. The charity covers the county, with income and asset requirements in place. Basic veterinary care, kibble, and other pet food will be passed out to those that qualify.
- New Life Christian Center - 20394 San Miguel Ave, Castro Valley, CA 94546 | 510-582-2261. While most of the assistance is for the homeless or immigrants, free dog, cat food or supplies can be offered to others as well. They also operate a homeless shelter that takes small cats or dogs as well as a soup kitchen.
- Orangevale Food Bank - 6483 Main Ave, Orangevale, CA 95662 | 916-304-3663
- PAWS San Francisco - 3170 23rd St., San Francisco, CA 94110 | 415-979-9550. Homeless and low income, that are pet parents, can get help. There may be free canned or wet pet or dog food, housing units that can take small pets, and more. Dogs, cats, and other pet supply needs may be met too. More on emergency assistance from San Fransisco County.
- People of Progress - 1242 Center St., Redding, CA 96001 | 530-243-3811
- Royal Breed - 9530 Mountain Blvd., Oakland, CA 94605 | 510-430-2687
- Salvation Army - Red Bluff 940 Walnut St., Red Bluff, CA 96080 | 530-529-1590
- Salvation Army - Redding 2691 Larkspur Lane, Redding, CA 96002 | 530-222-2207
- Salvation Army - Roseville 100 Lincoln Street, Roseville, CA 95678 | 916-784-3382
- Shilo Baptist Church - 22582 South Garden Ave, Hayward, CA 94541 | 510-978-8032
- Sonoma Humane Society - 5345 Hwy 12 West, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 | 707-542-0882
- The Ohlone Humane Society - 39120 Argonaut Way, Fremont, CA 94538 | 510-792-4587
- Titanic’s Pantry - (Mobile/Service Area: Sacramento, CA) | 916-504-2863
- Yolo Food Bank - 233 Harter Ave., Woodland, CA 95776 | 530-668-0690
Central Coast & Central Valley
Includes the Monterey Bay area, San Jose, and the agricultural heartland.
- Bakersfield Pet Food Pantry - 4500 Shepard St., Bakersfield, CA 93313. Call 661-369-1222. There is help for all of Kern County. Groceries, kibble for cats or dogs, free treats, cleaning products, and other pet supplies may be offered at the pantry.
- CARE4PAWS - P.O. Box 60524, Santa Barbara, CA 93160 | 805-968-2273
- Delta Christian Community Food Pantry - 1900 Willow Lake Rd, Discovery Bay, CA 94505 | 925-634-9080
- Food Not Bombs - 850 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | 831-515-8234
- Gathering for Women - 555 Canyon Del Rey, Monterey, CA 93940 | 831-241-6154
- HomeFirst - 2011 Little Orchard St., San Jose, CA 95125 | 408-539-2100
- Hope Services - 1580 Del Monte Boulevard, Seaside, CA 93955 | 831-393-1575
- Humane Society Silicon Valley - 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas, CA 95035 | 408-262-2133
- Martha’s Kitchen - 311 Willow St., San Jose, CA 95110 | 408-293-6111
- Merced Rescue Mission - 1921 Canal St., Merced, CA 95340 | 209-722-9269. Homeless people can get basic care for a small cat or dog from the pet food bank.
- No Place Like Home Animal Rescue - 900 W. Lowell Ave, Tracy, CA 95376 | 209-207-3285
- Salvation Army - Lodi 622 N. Sacramento Street, Lodi, CA 95240 | 209-367-9560. A leading faith based charity for San Joaquin County and the Stockton California area. Get financial aid, pet food, use the soup kitchen and more, including litter or pet toys from the thrift store. They also coordinate vet care in partnership with local animal shelters, and continue to learn more about the Salvation Army San Joaquin County.
- Salvation Army Good Samaritan Center - Sand City 800 Scott Street, Sand City, CA 93955 | 831-899-4988
- Salvation Army Monterey Peninsula Corps - 1491 Contra Costa St., Seaside, CA 93955 | 831-899-4911
- Salvation Army Santa Cruz - 721 Laurel St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | 831-426-8365
- Santa Cruz SPCA - 2685 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95065 | 831-465-5000
- St. Francis Soup Kitchen - 205 Mora Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | 831-459-8046
- St. Mary’s by the Sea Episcopal Church - 146 12th St., Pacific Grove, CA 93950 | 831-373-4441
- Turlock Gospel Mission - 437 S. Broadway Ave, Turlock, CA 95380 | 209-656-1033
- United Samaritans Foundation - 220 S. Broadway, Turlock, CA 95380 | 209-668-4853
- Valley Churches United Mission - 9400 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005 | 831-336-8258
Southern California
The charities below, with limited availably of cat and dog food distribution based on donation levels as well as other factors, cover the areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and the Inland Empire.
- Beacon For Him - 439 West Anaheim Street, Long Beach, CA 90813 | 562-591-2299
- Blue Collar Working Dog - 1533 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026 | 213-977-9042. A low-cost pet food pantry is on site. Surplus kibble, wet or dry food (for cats or dogs), leashes and other items may be sold, or given out, in an emergency.
- Brother Benno Foundation - 3260 Production Ave., Oceanside, CA 92054 | 760-439-1244
- Burbank Temporary Aid Center - 1304 West Burbank Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506 | 818-848-2822
- Calvary Chapel West Grove - 12832 Knott Street, Garden Grove, CA 92841 | 714-897-8972
- Christian Outreach in Action (COA) - 515 East 3rd St., Long Beach, CA 90802 | 562-432-1440
- Eddie D Smith Senior Center - 5888 Mission Blvd., Riverside, CA 92509 | 951-275-9975
- Foothill Unity Center - 790 W. Chestnut Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016 | 626-358-3486
- Free Indeed Church - 430 S. D St., Perris, CA 92570 | 951-657-2449
- Got UR 6 - 27385 Twenty Mule Team Road, Boron, CA 93516 | 760-818-2840
- Lakewood First United Methodist / Broken Loaf - 4300 Bellflower Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90713 | 562-425-1219
- Lakewood Meals on Wheels - 5510 Clark Ave, Lakewood, CA 90712 | 562-925-8747. The location not only gives out free pet food, but they also deliver free groceries, frozen meals and more to senior citizens, the homebound, or disabled.
- Long Beach Rescue Mission - 1430 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813 | 562-591-1292
- Mary’s Table - 641 Roberds Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92411 | 909-889-2558
- Mercy House - 905 East Holt Ave., Ontario, CA 91764 | 909-391-2630
- Moreno Valley Animal Hospital - 23051 Sunnymead Blvd., Moreno Valley, CA 92553 | 951-242-2111
- North County Humane Society - 2905 San Luis Rey Rd, Oceanside, CA 92058 | 760-757-4357
- Orange County SPCA - P.O. Box 6507, Huntington Beach, CA 92615 | 714-964-4445
- Pasadena Humane Society - 361 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105 | 626-792-7151
- Path of Life Ministries - 2840 Hulen Place, Riverside, CA 92507 | 951-683-4101
- PAWS Los Angeles - 2121 S Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007 | 213-741-1950
- PAWS San Diego County - 5433 Gaines St. #B, San Diego, CA 92110 | 619-297-7297
- Project Needs - 2600 Nelson Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 | 310-370-4319
- Ramona Food and Clothes Closet - 773 Main St, Ramona, CA 92065 | 760-789-4458. A number of free or low cost pet supplies (and food) may be offered. They also have leashes, beds, blankets, and other clothes for low income families.
- Rancho Coastal Humane Society - 389 Requeza St., Encinitas, CA 92024 | 760-753-6413
- Salvation Army of LA County has multiple locations. They have free food banks and soup kitchens as well as case management. Some of the pantries give out free pet food to very low-income residents or the unhoused, but not all. But they can give referrals to social services, veterinarian assistance programs and other resources. The Los Angeles Salvation Army food assistance programs are wide ranging.
- Salvation Army - San Diego - 825 7th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-699-2116
- Salvation Army - Santa Monica - 1533 4th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 | 310-451-1358
- Shepherd’s Pantry (Baldwin Park) - 1418 Arrow Highway, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 | 626-305-0392
- Shepherd’s Pantry (Glendora) - 657 E. Arrow Highway, Glendora, CA 91740 | 626-852-7630
- Simi Valley Shelter Pet Pantry - 670 W. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, CA 93065 | 805-388-4341
- Skid Rover (Homeless Health Care LA) - 1282 West 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA 90026 | 213-744-0724
- So Others May Eat, Inc. - 9222 Chesapeake Drive, San Diego, CA 95123 | 858-900-1275
- Society’s OutKasts Animal Rescue - 74991 Joni Drive #5, Palm Desert, CA 92260 | 760-832-0617
- St. Paul Baptist Church - 801 First St., Oxnard, CA 93030 | 805-487-2015
- The Neighborhood Church - 2147 Oak Street, Santa Ana, CA 92707 | 714-545-1095
- The Pet Food Bank - 11180 Monarch St., Garden Grove, CA 92841 | 714-379-1456. A regional charity that tries to help feed pets so they can stay in their home. Leashes, basic medication, food or treats for a pet and other goods can be given out for free (or sold at affordable rates) for those that qualify.
- The Saint Margaret Center - 10217 S. Inglewood Ave., Inglewood, CA 90304 | 310-672-2208
- The Way World Outreach - 3701 N. Sierra Way, San Bernardino, CA 92405 | 909-884-7117
- Valley Food Bank - 12701 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite A, Pacoima, CA 91331 | 818-510-4140
- Victor Valley Rescue Mission - 15572 7th Street, Victorville, CA 92394 | 760-955-5958
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