According to the article, a small but growing number of dedicated food pantries have sprung up to help people feed their pets. This is in response to pleas from people who see their pets as family and will spend their last dollar on pets, despite going hungry themselves.

Questions:
1. What is the ASPCA?
2. How much has the ASPCA awarded in grants to feed pets since 2010? If you were the accountant for the organization, what journal entries would you make regarding these grants?
3. Do you agree or disagree with Joel Berg? Why or why not?
4. Prepare a budget for Mr. Lopez (mentioned in the article). Assume that his rent is $500 and the cost of feeding, clothing, and care of his family is $1,000 per month, his utilities are $400 per month, and his take-home pay is $6.40 per hour after taxes. After paying $60 for pet food per month, what is his disposable income? What percentage is the $60 of all his expenses?

Source:
Hu, W. (2016). Pet Food Pantries Offer Relief to Animal Owners Struggling With Bills. The New York Times, Feb. 7 (Retrievable online at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/08/nyregion/pet-food-pantries-offer-relief-to-animal-owners-struggling-with-bills.html)