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Bill

S 4165

Directs DOH to establish food bank for pets pilot program; appropriates $1 million.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Beach and 3 co-sponsors

New Jersey establishes a $1 million pet food bank pilot program through DOH to provide free pet nutrition to low-income residents who struggle to afford animal care.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
#animals #food
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Bill Summary · S 4165

Legislative bill overview

S 4165 directs New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to establish a pilot program for pet food banks and allocates $1 million in funding for this initiative. The program would provide pet food to low-income individuals who struggle to afford nutrition for their companion animals, mirroring existing human food bank models.

Why is this important

Pet food insecurity can force low-income families into difficult choices between feeding themselves or their pets, sometimes resulting in animal abandonment or neglect. A pet food bank program could reduce financial barriers to pet ownership while keeping animals in stable homes and potentially reducing shelter intake rates.

Potential points of contention

  • Program feasibility and scope: Questions remain about whether DOH is the appropriate agency to administer a pet food bank, and whether $1 million is sufficient for a statewide or regional pilot
  • Definition and eligibility criteria: Unclear how "low-income" would be defined, which pets qualify, and how participants would be identified and enrolled
  • Sustainability and continuation: The bill provides one-time funding for a pilot without addressing long-term financing or transition to permanent programming if successful

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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