Aussies Facing Cost-of-Living Crisis Turn to Pet Food Solutions
As the cost-of-living crisis deepens in Australia, many are struggling to put food on the table, and this includes pet owners. One retiree, Denise Clark from Melbourne, has taken it upon herself to ensure that pets aren’t going hungry. She understands the emotional support that pets provide, especially for those facing homelessness, stating that “animals are a massive part of keeping your head up.”
Denise found a community food-sharing initiative offering surplus groceries for free and noticed that people were often hesitant to take meat, fearing they couldn’t use it. This spurred her to create meals for dogs, beginning with her own dog, Gypsy. Using surplus food along with some veggies, oats, and rice, she began making dog food and soon started saving significant amounts on pet food costs.
Denise’s efforts resonate with a wider trend in Australia, where one in four pet owners report skipping or reducing their own meals to afford pet food. A recent study revealed that rising costs have made pet ownership increasingly unaffordable for many households.
Denise’s DIY pet food has not only saved her money—up to $15 to $20 a week—but also allows her to donate meals to the Christ Church Mission Community Centre, which serves around 900 people weekly. Her commitment to reducing waste and supporting both hungry people and pets stems from a simple belief: “I don’t want dogs suffering. I don’t want human suffering, and I don’t want the environment suffering.”
By taking action, Denise embodies a compassionate response to the ongoing crisis, highlighting the interconnectedness of human and animal welfare during tough economic times.
