Belleville Humane Society Sees Rise in Families Needing Pet Food Assistance

Financial hardships force more pet owners to seek help from local humane society's Feed the Love program, which supplies affordable pet food to struggling families.

Staff Report

Nov 12, 2025 3:22 PM

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BELLEVILLE — As families face financial hardships with paused benefits and delayed paychecks, the Belleville Area Humane Society is witnessing a surge in pet owners struggling to provide for their animals, prompting increased calls to the shelter from those reluctant to give up their companions.

The shelter's Feed the Love program was established to address this growing need by supplying pet food at a significantly reduced cost. Through a partnership with GPG and the GOOD Program, the shelter is able to purchase pet food at 15 cents per pound, a fraction of retail prices, allowing donations to have a greater impact.

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“We see every day how connected our community truly is,” said a representative of the Belleville Area Humane Society. “When people struggle, their pets struggle too — and that’s where the ripple begins.”

The Belleville Area Humane Society is calling on the community to support the Feed the Love program to help sustain its efforts as demand continues to rise.

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“We are a pack. And we won’t let anyone face this alone. Our people, our pets, our community. We rise together and back each other, no matter what,” the shelter said in a statement.

The organization emphasizes the broader effects of economic strain on families and their pets, describing it as a “butterfly effect” that links every system, person, and animal within the community. The Belleville Humane Society said donations to the Feed the Love program not only provide food but also bring hope, stability, and love to households facing difficult choices between feeding themselves and their pets.

Those interested in contributing can donate directly to the Feed the Love program to assist families in need and help keep pets with their owners during challenging times.

For more information, contact the Humane Society at (618) 235-3712.

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