Pet food stamps?

[layoutshooter]

I like voluntary programs. People should be free to do as they please with their money. What if this were to become a Federal program using tax dollars? The paragraph I highlighted in red bothers me. Why would they even mention it?


[h=1]Food Stamps ... For Pets?[/h]
When man falls on hard times, what's his best friend to do?


A new donation-based program called Pet Food Stamps aims to provide food stamps for pets of low-income families and for food stamp recipients who otherwise could not afford to feed their pets, reported ABC affiliate KVIA in Las Cruces, N.M.


Based in New York, the program is open to anyone in the United States. More than 45,000 pets have already been signed up in the past two weeks, according to the program's founder and executive director Marc Okon. Once need and income is verified, the families will receive pet food each month from pet food retailer Pet Food Direct for a six-month period.


"We're not looking for government funding at this point," Okon told ABCNews.com. "Should the government be willing to provide assistance further down the line, we will look into it."


The only way to apply for the program is through an online application, but Okon said applications would be accepted through mail once the program moved to its new office.


Okon said the program's nonprofit status was still pending.


There is currently no federal pet food stamp program in place, although the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service tries to provide protection for animals in case of emergencies or natural disasters. The 1966 Animal Welfare Act also makes no mention of providing food for pets.


Okon's program isn't revolutionary. Other animal shelters and rescue leagues around the country, such as the Washington Animal Rescue League, have been providing pet food banks, in addition to discounted pet care, for years.


"One of our missions is to provide income-qualified families with discounted pet care, vaccinations, vaccine clinics, neutered clinics and vet care," said Washington Animal Rescue League spokesman Matt Williams. "We have a new medical center on site. … We also have a food bank run entirely on donations."


The new pet food stamp program comes at a when monthly food stamp assistance could be phased out. A temporary food stamp boost for low-income families was initiated in April 2009 to help offset the effects of the 2008 recession and is set to expire on Oct. 31, 2013, unless Congress passes legislation to extend the benefits.


Approximately 46.6 million people used the federal food stamp program in 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.











Food Stamps ... For Pets? - Yahoo! News

 

[BobWolf]

The fuher has already slapped down the plastic. We just havent heard the cash register go "ca'ching" and reciept printer churning yet.

Bob Wolf.

 

[LDB]

Wouldn't surprise me a bit to see some of our "feeling" politicians and members support food stamps and welfare for pets.

 

[Turtle]

The paragraph I highlighted in red bothers me. Why would they even mention it?

They mentioned it because they were asked about it. They were asked about it because the program is called "The Pet Food Stamp Program". If you look at the original news source out of New Mexico you will see no such quote or mentioning of any connection with the federal food stamp program. But ABC OTUS NEWS wanted to write a story with the Food Stamp angle, and with an East Coast slant (New York, Washington), and thus got the quote so they could craft the story accordingly. In other words, it's got nothing to do with politicians, much less any fuhrer slapping down plastic.

 

[muttly]

It probably bothers some that the program might eventually become another government assistance program. The story already says that there is a great influx of applicants to get assistance. Given the additional publicity and awareness of it. Coupled with the continuously weak economy, due to a large part from destructive Obama policies that have wrecked havoc on families personal income and consumer spending, I'm sure the applicants will skyrocket. Remains to be seen if donations,, corporate donations and sponsorship will keep this program afloat and separate from the government. They do say though that they might be open to it.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

You bring up a good point, Muttly. Maybe the Democrats will fight to get animals the right to vote. I can just hear Obama saying, "We'll keep those mutts voting Democrat for the next 200 dog years."

 

[purgoose10]

I'll bet the Obama Mutt was first on the list.

 

[Pilgrim]

The expansion of this program will likely lead to the creation of another govt enforcement agency to make sure Granny is actually feeding these rations to the dog instead of making Alpo sandwiches. After all, when the Sequester takes effect there will be no teachers, no law enforcement, probably no electricity, the rivers will run dry, pestilence will overcome most areas except Washington DC and everyone in the blue states will break out in boils.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

The expansion of this program will likely lead to the creation of another govt enforcement agency to make sure Granny is actually feeding these rations to the dog instead of making Alpo sandwiches. After all, when the Sequester takes effect there will be no teachers, no law enforcement, probably no electricity, the rivers will run dry, pestilence will overcome most areas except Washington DC and everyone in the blue states will break out in boils.

You're mistaken. The pestilence started in DC, and spread to the rest of the blue areas.

 

[layoutshooter]

It does not matter who brought up the idea. It is that it was brought up by anyone that is scary.

 

[muttly]

It does not matter who brought up the idea. It is that it was brought up by anyone that is scary.

Not as scary as those Obama Zombies.

 

[Turtle]

It does not matter who brought up the idea. It is that it was brought up by anyone that is scary.

Yeah, it's scared me so bad that I haven't been able to sleep since reading it, my blood pressure is up, I can't eat, I'll probably never sleep again and I'll be dead in a week, two tops. Of course, now that I think about it, you're the one who brought up the scary possibility that it might expand into a government program. Thanks for that you evil scare monger, you.

 

[cranis]

I agree thaat help is sometimes needed, but as far as government involvment I say NO!!
Pets are like family, but someone with a house full of cats or dogs, (more than 2) should reconsider the need for themselves..

 

[layoutshooter]

Yeah, it's scared me so bad that I haven't been able to sleep since reading it, my blood pressure is up, I can't eat, I'll probably never sleep again and I'll be dead in a week, two tops. Of course, now that I think about it, you're the one who brought up the scary possibility that it might expand into a government program. Thanks for that you evil scare monger, you.

You are welcome.