Petition seeks to expand food stamp benefits to pet food

An online petition is attempting to pressure government to change the rules and allow just that.|

Most pet owners will tell you their furry friends are more than friends, they're members of the family.

Now animal lovers are attempting to tell the government just that with an online petition asking that food stamps be extended to cover the cost of pet food.

The petition states that, “Unfortunately, SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy pet food, leaving poor families with pets in a difficult position… Pets are also important for emotional support. Being poor is hard enough without being expected to give up your companion. For most people, pets are considered family, not property.”

The petition already has more than 134,000 supporters and is rapidly approaching its goal of 140,000.

The petition requires 90,000 signees for Care2 to present it to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for consideration.

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