A woman down on her luck didn’t have to make the choice between feeding her dog or feeding herself thanks to the pet food bank.
Vernon is home to one of a network of BC SPCA pet food banks across the province helping animals like Leroy.
“I was going to have to make the choice between dog food and food for myself,” said Leroy’s owner, a client of HOPE Outreach in Vernon. “Thank goodness for this generosity! Now all of us have food to eat.”
The price of pet food is higher than it has been in years, adding to the cost-of-living crisis that so many are facing.
As a result, the SPCA is also seeing fewer donations of supplies to pet food banks, and some communities are struggling to keep up with the demand.
Mary juggles managing the pet food bank out of the Kelowna SPCA alongside her animal care duties.
“Most people only come in once. It might be a few days before their pay cheque comes in, or maybe their car is having issues. Sometimes they’ve taken on an animal for someone else, but they can’t afford the extra food to care for them. It’s a safety net and I know people find it very comforting to know that the pet food banks are there for when they desperately need it. We see a wide variety of people; some families with kids in the car, some single people and seniors. Honestly, it’s a total mix of everyone.”
The Okanagan is currently one of the busiest areas, and the Vernon community alone has five partners who regularly distribute pet food in the area.
Last year, the Kelowna Animal Centre became a vital distribution hub during the intense wildfires that threatened the area. Mary and her team worked long hours to stay open into the evening, offering emergency pet food, bowls, bedding, crates, litter and other supplies to people and animals impacted by the devastating fires.
“Unfortunately, we’re expecting to roll out a similar emergency response this year given the weather we’ve been seeing and wildfires already starting,” said Mary. “It’s likely BC SPCA pet food banks across the province are going to be busy this summer, including ours here in Kelowna.”
The SPCA welcomes donations of unopened pet food for the pet food banks, as well as cash donations.
“Our biggest need right now is dry and wet cat food and cat litter,” said BC SPCA outreach specialist Diane Waters, adding volunteers are also needed to help collect and distribute.
In response to this considerable need, the Ian and Rosemary Mottershead Fund at the West Vancouver Foundation are offering to triple match every donation made, up to $30,000.
To donate visit shop.spca.bc.ca/products/outreach-support.
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