Operating A Pet Food Pantry

F.I.D.O. = Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside Animal outreach 501(c)3 organization. Mission: To improve the quality of life of outside dogs. Formed in 2005 to address unmet needs of outside dogs. Pet Food Pantry was an unmet need.

How It All Started with FIDO: FIDO delivered dog food during outreach home visits. Free dog food served as a great ice-breaker and incentive for cooperation with FIDO programs. However, routine food delivery became an expectation. Thus, the FIDO Pet Food Pantry came to pass.

What You Need to Start a PFP: A large storage building, warehouse, garage, etc. Ample parking. A large supply of donated dry food: box store distribution center returns (Kroger, Wal-Mart, etc.) Vehicles to pick up pallets of food from donation site. Volunteers to prepare food. Event day volunteers to register clients and distribute food. Spay/Neuter resources to offer.

Food Prep Work: We accept any dry dog or cat food donated. Most of our food supply is obtained through “food rescue”. We receive a wide variety of brands and qualities. We never obtain enough donated cat food and need to buy a portion.

Food Prep Work: Use 96-gal roll bins to mix food. Dry Dog Food Supply: mix higher quality with lower quality. Dry Cat Food Supply: mix 70% cat and 30% grain-free/small bite dog food. Examine food for defects while mixing. We prep ~8,000 lb dog and ~3,000 lb cat for each monthly event.

Our Clientele Low-income dog owners. Low-income cat owners. Community cat caretakers. Volunteer feeders with community cat program. Many of our clients are seniors or disabled.

Event Day: 1st Saturday of each month 10 am - 4 pm. Clients form line into building. No pets allowed. Pay $1 nominal fee. Bring photo ID. Bring empty, clean food buckets.

New Client Registration Photo ID. Record client contact info. Record pet info. Discuss if and how dogs are kept outside. Proof of financial need. Proof of pets’ S/N or schedule S/N Liability waiver.

Returning Client Registration: Photo ID. Update any changes in client info. Update any changes in pet info. Check on compliance with S/N. Adding new pets is against policy.

Food Distribution: Dog Food Chart: Based on combined weights of dogs: (Supplemental, Not Total Needed) Based on combined weights of dogs: 0 – 15 lb weight = 10 lb food 16 – 50 lb weight = 20 lb food 51 – 75 lb weight = 30 lb food 76 or more weight = 40 lb food

Cat Food Chart: (Supplemental, Not Total Needed) Food Distribution: Cat Food Chart: (Supplemental, Not Total Needed) 1 - 5 cat = 5 lb 6 - 10 cats = 10 lb 11 – 15 cats = 20 lb 15 or more cats = 30 lb

Points to Ponder: We typically give everyone at least a one-time-pass. If in doubt, give food, then ask questions. We use standard low-income criteria, with a lot of leeway. Number of clients will increase over time due to word-of-mouth. Consider adding other basic supplies at a nominal fee, such as cat litter, canned food, flea treatment, etc.

It’s a Lotta Work but a Lotta Reward Provides strong incentive for spay/neuter. Helps keep animals fed and in the home. Helps Good Samaritans care for community cats. Offers a venue for humane education. Offers a venue for other basic supplies at nominal fees. Most clients are very appreciative.