Food Stamps / SNAP / LINK Card

Food stamps are now called “SNAP” and a lot more stores take it than you’d think.

I’ve personally confirmed that Walgreens, CVS, Target, Trader Joe’s, Jewel, Mariano’s, Aldi’s, Walmart, and Whole Foods all take LINK. Some 7-11s and dollar stores do as well. Online I’ve seen BJ’s, Sam’s Club, and Costco referenced as accepting LINK. Basically, if the store has a grocery section and takes credit cards, even if it’s not a grocery store (like Target for example), then they probably accept LINK.

Many local non-chain grocery stores also take the LINK card; you’ll just need to walk in or call and ask. Some bakeries and farmer’s markets may as well, so long as they accept credit cards.

In addition, you can use the LINK card to buy pre-made food, so long as it’s not heated. This means that in the deli section, you can use LINK to purchase the food that’s at room temperature or chilled, but not the food under a heat lamp. If you’re ever not sure, ask the manager or a cashier to confirm that the food item will be covered by the LINK card.

In response to a question I was asked, no, you can’t use LINK to buy dog or cat food, not unless you buy human food and feed it to your pets. However, there are free pet food pantries. You can, however, buy baking soda with LINK and use it to freshen kitty litter boxes.

Information on applying for food stamps (Food stamps are now called SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

Food stamps (aka SNAP) eligibility calculator
Use this to figure out if you are eligible for food stamps (aka SNAP) and if so, how much you might get.

Information for once you get approved for food stamps (aka SNAP) and are given a LINK card

How does a LINK card work?
Basically, it works like a debit card and looks like one. If you are eligible for food stamps, the card will be reloaded with money every month on a set date, until you are found to not be eligible anymore. This determination is generally made by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and is based on if your earnings, income, economic resources, or living expenses have changed. If you run out of money on your LINK card, then your options are to pay using your own money or put the food item back on the shelf and visit a free food pantry if necessary.

Pet Food Stamps

According to their Facebook page, “Pet Food Stamps is a registered non-profit corporation in the state of New York, designed to provide pet food assistance to food stamp recipients and low income persons, nationwide, preventing pets from being surrendered to high kill animal shelters.” Pet Food Stamps joined Facebook in February 2013 and appears to be a new nonprofit that is gaining national attention. However, as of now, its website does not state what kind of nonprofit it is.

According to the Pet Food Stamps website, the program is available to pet owners who are on food stamps (LINK) or are otherwise low income, can show proof of need and apply for the program. If they are approved, pet food is ordered through PetFlow.com and then shipped to your home address. The program is available to anyone in the US.

Pet Food Stamps website: http://www.petfoodstamps.org/
Pet Food Stamps Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PetFoodStamps

Please note: I, the author, have not participated in the Pet Food Stamps program nor have I personally spoken with them and thus cannot endorse them. If you have had any experience with them, please feel free to leave a comment. Thank you.

Pet Food Pantries

I see the question “can i buy cat food with link card” turning up in Google searches. The answer right now is, no, unfortunately, you can’t.

However, in addition to food pantries, there are pet food pantries to serve those who are unable to afford pet food to feed their pets. The rationale behind having pet food pantries is to help people keep their pets rather than risk them giving up their animals.

If you have any extra pet food or pet supplies, please consider donating them to animal shelter. Like any nonprofit, they’re always in need of donations. Look around your home, do you have any toys your cat or dog is no longer interested in? Is there food they don’t like to eat? Can you afford to buy food or cat litter to donate? While I strongly support Craigslist and Freecycle, please consider donating your supplies to a shelter instead. It might also save you some time, since you won’t have to worry about people flaking out on you. 🙂

Pet food can also be donated at many Petco locations.

Chicago

In Chicago, several animal shelters, pantries, and pet-related businesses have their own pet food banks.

Animal Welfare League
6224 S. Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
773-667-0088
Last Thursday of each month

AniMeals
Serves Rogers Park and Uptown.

Care for Real
5341 N. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, IL 60640
http://careforreal.org/pet.shtml
Contact: (773) 769-6182
office@careforreal.org
Details: If you live in the area, you can visit the pet food pantry the 1st Thursday of each month from 3pm to 5pm. Care for Reals asks people not to arrive before 2:45pm and to bring proof of address and need, such as a medical card if you are on Medicaid. In addition, while they generally have a large amount of dry puppy and dog food thanks to the generosity of Bark Bark Club and donors, they have a very limited supply of cat food and will likely run out of it. The dry dog food they have is in its original bags, so you might be able to get large bags of 10lbs or heavier. In addition, due to the large number of people, it might be best to allot at least an hour if you want to use the pantry.
(Care for Real also has a regular food pantry.)

Chicago Party Animals
1133 W Fulton Market, 1st Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60607
773.383.DOGS (3647)
tim@chicagopartyanimals.com
Wednesdays from 11am -2pm
Families must show proof of pet ownership and a valid ID.

PAWS
Lurie Spay/Neuter Clinic
3516 W. 26th Street
Chicago, IL 60623
773-475-9426
Done by appointment. Will provide dog and cat food and supplies once a month.

Tree House
Uptown branch:
1212 W Carmen Ave
Chicago, IL 60640-2999
(Near the Argyle stop on the Red line)
(773) 784-5488 ext. 221
Details: The pet food pantry is available on Thursdays and you are allowed to visit it once every two weeks. They will create a file for you, ask about your number of pets and if they are fixed or not. You will also have prove that you are low income, such as through pay stubs, unemployment checks, Medicaid card, etc. They generally have canned and dry dog and cat food, treats, and kitty litter. The amount of food and brands they get is based upon what is donated to them either directly or from donation bins at area pet stores like Petco. Dry food and kitty litter is generally opened up and divided put into plastic bags meant to last several weeks. There is virtually no wait time.

National

Itchmo Pet News

National Food Bank Directory

Illinois and Wisconsin

Nose to the Ground

Low Cost Spay and Neuter in Chicagoland

The only way to truly cut down on the thousands of adoptable animals put down every year due to the good homes is to spay/neuter them so that less unwanted animals are born.

This is the responsibility of every pet parent and anyone seeking to adopt out their pet. Many times, I see postings online of people giving away kittens that are surely from “oops” litters. Undoubtedly, many litters of kittens and puppies arrive at shelters for the same reason. Sadly, people who allow their animals to engage in uncontrolled breeding often further their irresponsibility by giving away the kittens and puppies without fixing them first, pushing the responsibility onto someone else, who may in turn have an “oops” litter.

At the same time, there are also wonderful people out there that rescue animals they find on the street or in their backyards, and seek to have them fixed and given medical attention.

Note: Below is a Craigslist posting by an anonymous person that lists places that you can spay/neuter your pet for free or at a substantial discount. You should call to verify the information as fees and hours change over time. The bolding and underlining is my own.

The following places offer free and low cost spay/neuter for dogs and cats:

City of Chicago:

Anti-Cruelty Society
157 W. Grand
Chicago, IL 60654
You can call (312) 644-8338 ext. 347 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment.
Dogs: $40 (neuter) $60 (spay)
Cats: $10
Pit Bulls and Feral Cats: FREE
http://www.anticruelty.org

Chicago Animal Care and Control
2741 S. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 747-1406
Dogs and cats: $25 (additional $25 fee if pet is 50 lb. or heavier)
http://egov.cityofchicago.org/animalcarecontrol

PAWS Chicago
3516 W. 26th St.
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 521-7729 (SPAY)
Dogs: $75 (additional fee if dog is 50 lb. or heavier)
Cats: $25
http://www.pawschicago.org

Tree House Humane Society
1629 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 227-5535
Free and low cost spay/neuter provided on a sliding scale based on income.
Dogs: starting at $45
Dogs over 50 lbs.: starting at $65
Cats: starting at $25
Feral Cats: $20
http://www.treehouseanimals.org

In all of these Chicago clinics, you may be eligible for a free spay/neuter surgery if you live in a certain zip code and/or are on Medicaid. You must be a resident of Chicago to receive free and low cost spay/neuter at Anti-Cruelty and Chicago ACC. Call for more details.

Chicago suburbs:

Aha! Alliance For Humane Action
North/Northwest Suburbs
(847) 960-8689 ext. 1
Dogs: $85 (up to 25 lbs.) $95 (25-80 lbs.) $110 (over 80 lbs.)
Cats: $75
There is an additional $20 fee if animal is in heat/pregnant.
http://ahaworks.org

Anderson Animal Shelter
1000 S. La Fox Rd.
South Elgin, IL 60177
(847) 697-2880 ext. 3
Dogs: $90 (neuter) $100 (spay)
Dogs over 50 lbs.: $100 (neuter) $110 (spay)
Cats: $60 (neuter) $80 (spay)
http://www.andersonanimalshelter.org

Animal Care League
1013 Garfield St.
Oak Park, IL 60304
(708) 848-8155
Dogs: $50
Cats: $35
http://www.animalcareleague.org

Animal Welfare League
10305 Southwest Highway
Chicago Ridge, IL 60415
(708) 636-8586
Dogs: $119-$174 (price determined by weight)
Cats: $75
http://www.animalwelfareleague.com

NAWS Animal Clinic
10080 W. 191st St.
Mokena, IL 60448
(708) 478-5102
There is reduced pricing for people on public assistance. Call for details.
Special spay/neuter promotion during the month of May:
Dogs: $70
Dogs over 75 lbs.: $90
Cats: $40
Pit Bulls: $50
http://www.nawsus.org

South Suburban Humane Society
18349 S. Halsted
Glenwood, IL 60425
(708) 755-1110
There is reduced pricing for residents of certain zip codes.
Dogs: $55 (neuter) $65 (spay)
Dogs over 75 lbs.: $75
Pit Bulls: $50
Cats: $40 (neuter) $50 (spay)
http://www.sshspets.org

Save lives – spay and neuter!