Marc Okon, founder and executive director of a new donation-based program called Pet Food Stamps has been making headlines the past few days which have seemed to have gone viral. His program is meant to provide food stamps for pets of low-income families and for food stamp recipients who otherwise may not be able to continue feeding their pet.
The program is open to anyone in the United States. Okon told ABCNews.com that more than 45,000 pets have already been signed up in the past two weeks. Once need and income is verified, the families will receive pet food each month from pet food retailer Pet Food Direct for a six-month period.
Okon says those who qualify for government assistance likely qualify for the pet assistance program. He says the program is currently running by private donations until he can obtain federal grants and funds.
“We’re not looking for government funding at this point,” Okon told ABCNews.com. “Should the government be willing to provide assistance further down the line, we will look into it.”
Around 400 New Mexico residents have applied to receive help from the food stamps for pet program. Recently census data showed that New Mexico remains one of the nation’s poorest states.
To apply, one must complete an online application. Okon reported that applications would be accepted through mail once the program moved to its new office.
Visit the program website, www.petfoodstamps.org for further information. The program’s nonprofit status is still pending.
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