From a food pantry for pets to Meals-On-Wheels for Animals, various programs are available to help needy Bay Area residents feed their dogs and cats.

Most of the programs require recipients to prove income eligibility and show that pets are spayed or neutered and have up-to-date vaccinations.

To find a program in your area, call the local SPCA or Humane Society for suggestions. Several options are available in the East Bay. Among them:

AniMeals Pet Food Bank helps financially challenged families and individuals. The Contra Costa Humane Society, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and Pet Food Express are the program’s partners. AniMeals works with community groups, local businesses and individuals to collect pet food and distribute it to low-income families through the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. For information, go to www.cchumane.org/programs/animeals.

Meals-On-Wheels for Animals provides food and animal care items for companion animals of qualifying home-bound seniors (55 and older), disabled residents and homeless people. It is provided through the Ohlone Humane Society in Fremont. For more information, call (510) 792-4587 or visit www.tinyurl.com/mwbwbh5.

Residents of Alameda or Contra Costa counties can visit the East Bay SPCA’s Pet Food Pantry once a month to receive supplemental food for their dogs and cats. For information or to donate pet food and other items, contact humane advocate Anya Pamplona at (510) 563-4627 or visit www.eastbayspca.org/advocate#petfoodbank.

Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in Walnut Creek operates FoodShare, a program in which volunteers collect and distribute food to low-income Contra Costa County residents. Information is available at www.arf.net/animal-programs/foodshare. To apply for FoodShare assistance, call (925) 256-1273 ext. 463.

In the North Bay, the Marin Humane Society’s SHARE (Special Human Animal Relationships) program includes a component for low-income Marin County residents. Called Side-by-Side, it is funded entirely by donations and grants and supported by more than 20 program volunteers. Volunteers with the Humane Society’s Pet Meals on Wheels program deliver the supplies to clients. To learn more, visit www.marinhumanesociety.org.