Pet ownership promotes well being. However, the expense of keeping a pet may become prohibitive.

Enter the Animal Food Bank.

Since 2009 Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley has been helping pet owners experiencing financial difficulties to keep their animals.

The food bank has relocated from its original Bethlehem facility and April 8 opened for business at 860 Broad St., Emmaus. A completely volunteer organization with no government affiliations, the food bank provides assistance to several thousand animals each month. As explained by director Amy Kocis, the main goal of the food bank is to assist pet owners with limited resources so that, “Hopefully, [they] won’t relinquish [the animals] to shelters.”

In addition to collecting, transporting and distributing food donations, food bank volunteers direct clients to low cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinics and provide tips on ways to keep pet expenses low. Pet supplies are distributed on the second, third and fourth Fridays of the month.

To register, a pet owner must present a photo identification with proof of residence, proof of income, a spay/neuter certificate, current rabies vaccination certificate for each dog or cat and current license for each dog. Information on becoming a volunteer, providing financial support or enrolling a pet may be obtained by visiting www.afblv.com., emailing afblehighvalley@gmail.com or calling 484-851-8000.