Demand for meals at BC SPCA food banks increased by 20 per cent in the last year and shelter officials say they can’t keep up with demand.
“In 2022, the BC SPCA provided 532,000 meals to dogs and cats through its pet food banks,” said Diane Waters, outreach specialist for the BC SPCA.
This year staff said they have provided just over 648,000 meals and the year isn’t over yet.
“We cannot keep up with demand, especially for dry cat food and dry dog food,” said Krista Larson, manager of the BC SPCA’s Sea-to-Sky animal centre, one of the busiest pet food banks in the province.
“As soon as the pet food comes in, it gets distributed to the food bank in Pemberton and other communities in need.”
The BC SPCA currently has 36 animal centres that distribute pet food and supplies to anyone who needs them and 150 organizational partners across the province, including social housing spaces, municipal food banks and other non-profits.
One of the BC SPCA’s long-standing pet food bank partners is the Williams Lake Salvation Army and it’s seen the community particularly hard hit.
“Inflation has hit the people we serve hard, especially those who are struggling financially,” said Tamara Robinson, the Salvation Army’s director of family services and community outreach.
“The people who seek our services at the food bank have to make tough decisions daily whether to pay rent, bills or put food on the table. The pet food the BC SPCA provides us means these families do not have to factor feeding their pets into this decision.”
Robinson said pets are valued members of families, and no one should have to rehome a loving companion due to the rising cost of living.
Waters said the BC SPCA welcomes donations of unopened pet food for community food banks. “Our biggest need right now is dry and wet cat food and cat litter.”
The BC SPCA is also looking for volunteers to assist with the collection and distribution of pet food and supplies