When money is tight, some seniors find themselves worrying about how they’ll afford food and medical care for their pets. Others have trouble getting to the store or carrying heavy bags of pet food home.
If you live in Pulaski County, Arkansas, there’s a program that may help.
CareLink’s Bone Appétit program provides free pet food, essential supplies and veterinary assistance to eligible adults age 60 and older. It also delivers pet food and supplies directly to seniors who need them.
Here’s what the program offers and how to ask for help.
What Does Bone Appétit Provide?
CareLink’s Bone Appétit program helps older adults care for their pets when money or mobility makes it difficult.
Assistance may include:
- Free pet food: Food delivered directly to eligible seniors.
- Veterinary care: Help with veterinary expenses and services.
- Vaccinations: Assistance with keeping pets up to date on their shots.
- Pet supplies: Collars, leashes and other essential items.
The program is funded through donations and community support, so the assistance available may depend on current resources.
If your pet needs veterinary care or specific supplies, contact CareLink to ask what help is currently available.
Who Qualifies?
Bone Appétit is a free, needs-based program for eligible older adults.
According to CareLink’s eligibility information, you must meet these requirements:
- Age: You must be 60 or older.
- Location: You must live in Pulaski County, Arkansas.
- Need: You must be homebound or face challenges accessing essential pet care supplies.
You don’t necessarily have to be completely homebound to qualify.
CareLink also considers older adults who face mobility or financial challenges that make it difficult to get the supplies their pets need.
The organization will review your circumstances to determine whether assistance is available.
What If You Live Outside Pulaski County?
CareLink serves several counties in central Arkansas, but its Bone Appétit eligibility information specifically identifies Pulaski County residents.
If you live in another nearby county, you can contact CareLink to ask whether pet assistance is available in your area.
Availability outside Pulaski County is not confirmed.
How Do You Ask for Help?
The easiest place to start is CareLink’s online contact form.
Here’s what to do:
- Open the contact form on CareLink’s website.
- Select Pulaski County as your county.
- Choose Pet Care Assistance as the type of help you’re requesting.
- Explain your situation and what your pet needs.
- Submit the form and wait for CareLink to respond with more information.
CareLink can explain the program’s eligibility requirements, available assistance and any additional information you may need to provide.
Family members can also contact CareLink on behalf of an older loved one who needs help caring for a pet.
Where Is CareLink Located?
CareLink’s main office is located at:
CareLink
700 W Riverfront Dr
North Little Rock, AR 72114
This is the organization’s main office, not a confirmed pet food distribution location.
If you need assistance in person, contact CareLink before visiting to ask where and how to receive help through Bone Appétit.
Relief Recap
CareLink’s Bone Appétit program helps eligible seniors age 60 and older in Pulaski County, Arkansas, care for their pets.
The program provides free pet food and supplies, including home delivery, and may also help with veterinary care and vaccinations.
It’s designed for older adults who are homebound or face mobility or financial challenges that make it difficult to access essential pet care supplies.
If you or an older family member could use this kind of help, visit CareLink’s Bone Appétit page to learn more.
Even if you’re unsure whether you qualify, you can reach out and ask about your options.
For other assistance programs in the state, explore our Arkansas resources page.
