In my previous post, Feed your pets for less, I wrote about feeding my pets for less in a country or rural setting. Living in a rural area provides different options than living in a city or larger town does. Living in a city or less rural area rather than catching free food (roughfish) for your pets to eat, means  changing where to look for pet food.

Possibly the easiest free pet food, is to adapt Freegan methods for finding food your pets can eat. Freegans are not adverse to dumpster diving. For your pets, dumpster diving can be a cheap  food source. In the case of pet food those dumpsters you may wish to look in are not dumpsters most Freegans would be looking in. You are looking for food your pets can eat, not food for yourself.

I would try looking in dumpsters or fast food places, smaller restaurants, and convenience stores. After closing is best, because any left over food is usually thrown out as it won’t keep until the business opens the next morning.

At first it may feel a little odd to  be out dumspter diving, but when compared to spending money for pet food that is in short supply will make foraging easier to get used to.

Another possible pet food source are neighbors and friends. Most of us have leftovers in our refrigerator that we really should not be eating any longer, and usually throw into the trash. If your friends or neighbors know that things are tough for you and you would gladly take any food items that would be thrown out to feed your pets, they may be willing to help you by donating.

Any food you find should be cooked or reheated again because you do not want your pets getting sick. Either use an old pan used for nothing else or buy an old pan from a second hand store. I would not recommend you feed your pets on scavenged food alone, as their diet may not be to well balanced. They will need access to their regular food to for a more balanced diet.

If you have discovered any sources where you acquire cheap or free food for your pets, please share. Having to give up a pet that you can no longer afford is akin to putting one of your kids out on the street for some people.

Advertise! Craigslist , grocery stores, your church, or any other place you can put up a request for free food your pets to eat is an option. I am sure many people would be willing to give you a call if  they believe your request is genuine. Also check with your local human society, or city shelters. Here in Albuquerque, they city and possible others have started giving out free pet food.

One last thought, is it is now hunting season in most states. Perhaps someone you know is either going or has gone hunting. Find out where they are getting their butchering done. That may be a good sourse of scraps for you pets. Good luck, be creative, and and happy foraging!