This bill proposes a supplemental appropriation of $400,000 from the General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, specifically allocated to the Department of Health. The funds will be granted to the nonprofit organization Living for a Cause to support its Patient Pet Food Security Wellness Program. This program aims to assist patients undergoing medical care in Burlington County and surrounding areas who are facing economic hardship by providing pet food. The initiative seeks to alleviate the financial burden of pet ownership and prevent the surrender of pets to animal shelters.
Living for a Cause is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Florence, New Jersey, with a history of supporting animal welfare and various philanthropic causes since 2009. The organization has previously engaged in numerous animal emergency programs and community support initiatives. The Patient Pet Food Security Wellness Program, launched in 2023, is designed to ensure that patients can maintain their pets during challenging times, thereby enhancing both animal welfare and the well-being of pet owners.