The Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank (SAAFB) is making it easy and convenient for Tucsonans to make the holidays happier for the furry family members of those in need.
“I recently came from a meeting of other animal rights organizations and we all agreed that the workload this season has doubled compared to where we were last year at the same time. There are more people than ever coming in who are homeless that we need to supply pet food for and we are scrambling,” said Donna DeConcini, founder of the SAAFB.
The local nonprofit is dedicated to ensuring that no one need make the choice between feeding themselves and their animal family. It distributes free pet food to low income, unemployed, elderly and disadvantaged residents of Tucson, Oro Valley and surrounding areas. It also serves Three Points, Wilcox, and the Pascua Yaqui and Tohono O'odham communities.
DeConcini said the need is as great as she has seen since she and her daughter, Margaux, started the organization in 2015. In November, SAAFB gave out 18,000 pounds of pet food; it often supplies food to more than 25 clients daily through its warehouse at 4444 E. Grant Rd., Suite 116. No pre-registration is necessary and clients can receive food on a quarterly basis after filling out an application on site between 11 a.m to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
“We know that people that come in really need the food and this gets the food to them immediately,” DeConcini said.
She emphasized that they are expecting the increased need to continue into 2026 in light of economic uncertainty and the growing homeless population.
In addition to dog and cat food — including non-expired food that may have been opened — the SAAFB is in need of pet treats; medication; toys; leashes and collars; dog beds and other supplies; along with jackets, blankets and rugs.
“There are so many new people in town who have needs for their animals and many who are homeless. They need blankets and different types of coverings they can put on their dogs so they don’t freeze at night,” DeConcini said.
Ultimately, she encourages people to think about how in-kind donations of items from their homes may be helpful to those in need and their animal companions.
“We all have something we can give: an extra sweater or that blanket that Aunt Hazel knitted for you that you never use. Now you have a place that you can bring it so we can make sure the right people get it ... everything that is donated, we give away so that we can help people to help their animals,” DeConcini said.
