Government Shutdown Forces Families to Surrender Pets as SNAP Benefits Run Out

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Government Shutdown Forces Heartbreaking Pet Surrenders as SNAP Benefits Near Cutoff

As the ongoing government shutdown stretches on and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits near their cutoff, an unexpected heartbreak is unfolding across the country — pet owners being forced to surrender their beloved animals because they can no longer afford to feed them.

In Montgomery County, Maryland, Amy Creel, president of Knine Rescue, says her organization has been flooded with calls from desperate pet owners. “Just on Wednesday alone, we received six or seven calls asking for help,” she told News4. “If you are having to prioritize the basics, for some people, they’re starting to look at their dog and say, ‘I don’t know if I can afford this.’ And they’re devastated. They don’t want to be in this situation.”

For one mother in Gaithersburg, the choice has been agonizing. The single mom of three, who asked not to be identified, said she adopted her dog, Reese, a two-year-old mixed breed, to give her children companionship and stability. But as the shutdown drags on and her SNAP benefits are set to end, she’s facing the painful reality of giving him up.

“Part of why I adopted him was for him to be a part of the family,” she said. “But I just can’t manage that and put food on the table.”

Her family spends roughly $400 a month on Reese’s food, vet visits, and care. That cost, once manageable, has now become impossible. Soon, Reese will be placed in a foster home — a decision made out of necessity, not neglect.

A family in Seattle dropped their dog, a black lab named Mitch, off at a local kennel one day, not expecting anything unusual to occur. But Mitch's stay at the kennel ended with an employee brutally kicking and punching him - to the point of death.

Creel said this situation is one of the most overlooked consequences of the shutdown. “It’s just very sad, and I think people didn’t expect this to be part of it,” she said. “We have to come together and find a solution in this incredibly wealthy country that we’re in. I can’t believe that people are having to beg for dog food right now.”

For many struggling pet owners, surrendering their animals is a last resort. Creel says Knine Rescue has also been receiving calls from people asking for donated pet food or temporary assistance to help them keep their pets at home.

To help, Knine Rescue is organizing a pet food drive this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sharp’s at Waterford Farm in Brookeville, Maryland. Donations of any kind — dog food, cat food, or pet supplies — will go directly to families in crisis.

Creel urges the community to step up. “Even the smallest bit helps,” she said. “No one should have to choose between feeding their kids and keeping their pets. These animals are part of the family, and they deserve a chance to stay with the people who love them.”

In the midst of uncertainty, local rescues and volunteers are working tirelessly to ensure that love — not circumstance — decides the fate of these loyal companions.

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