Laredo Recognized September as Pet Hunger Awareness Month

Mayor Victor Trevino signed the proclamation to help local homebound residents and seniors feed their pets.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Pets — General

Screen-print poster illustration of two ceramic food bowls and a cloth food bag on a sunlit porch, symbolizing pet care support. — The City of Laredo officially designated September as Pet Hunger Awareness Month to support pet food access for seniors and homebound residents. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe families should prioritize pet food costs even when household finances are strained?

The City of Laredo officially recognized September 2026 as Pet Hunger Awareness Month. This initiative aims to address pet food insecurity among the city's most financially vulnerable households.

Why it matters

The program helps ensure that seniors and homebound residents can maintain the health of their animals while struggling with personal food costs. By partnering with established agencies, the city seeks to keep pets with their owners rather than in shelters.

Pets Alive Laredo distributed 3,000 pounds of food during the launch week, following a total distribution of 60,000 pounds throughout 2025. The effort currently relies on new partnerships after the South Texas Food Bank ceased its pet food supply.

The players

Victor Trevino

He is the Mayor of Laredo who signed the city proclamation at City Hall to support local pet food initiatives.

Pets Alive Laredo

This is a local animal welfare organization that coordinates food distribution partnerships for homebound and vulnerable residents.

Meals on Wheels

This is a national organization that provides meal delivery services to homebound individuals and is now partnering to distribute pet food.

Laredo Animal Care Services

This is a municipal department that has joined the distribution network to help provide resources for local animals.

SOS Cat Rescue

This is a partner organization that provides specialized services for managing feral cat populations in the local area.

The details

Pets Alive Laredo is collaborating with Meals on Wheels and Laredo Animal Care Services to distribute food directly to residents in need. The organization also partners with SOS Cat Rescue to provide services for feral cat populations and plans to expand support to include spay, neuter, and vaccination efforts.

The organization distributed 60,000 pounds of pet food during 2025.
September 2026 was officially designated as Pet Hunger Awareness Month.
Mayor Victor Trevino signed the proclamation the week of October 4, 2026.

Culture Shift

This program follows a pattern set by the rise in owner surrenders due to financial constraints documented by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It reflects a shift toward municipal-level efforts to prevent animal homelessness by supporting the human-animal bond.

Homebound seniors and financially vulnerable residents can now access consistent pet food supplies through existing delivery routes. These services aim to reduce the burden of pet ownership costs, potentially allowing residents to keep their companions despite economic hardship.

The takeaway

Supporting pet food security is a critical way to keep animals out of shelters and with the families that love them. Residents can contribute by donating pet food to local organizations or volunteering to assist with delivery logistics for homebound neighbors.