The ongoing economic uncertainty in BC and the rising cost of living isn’t just hard on humans – as of May, the BC SPCA pet food bank helped 2,364 dogs and 2,963 cats between the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.
The BC SPCA is raising the alarm about a continued decline in donations of pet food and supplies to its animal centres across the province. This drop in contributions comes at a time when demand is increasing.
So far this year, the BC SPCA’s pet food bank program has provided 298,681 meals to pets in need – an increase of 4,180 meals compared to the same period last year. These meals have already fed more than 20,000 vulnerable animals in B.C. this year.
“We completely sympathize that people’s ability to donate is difficult right now with the economic challenges we are all facing,” says Diane Waters, outreach specialist for the BC SPCA. “But without an increase in donations, we may not be able to support all the pet guardians who need the BC SPCA’s help.”
Waters explains the organization has a limited budget to purchase food to make up the difference in donations, but that is being stretched thin due to the rising cost of pet food and increased demand.
“It is so important to be that lifeline – to be able to give people pet food and supplies when they need them and keep these families together.”
Waters shares that many pet food bank clients only seek assistance for a brief period, not on a permanent basis. One client and his dog “Maya” were supported by Charlie’s pet food bank, a community initiative founded to improve the lives of pets living in Vancouver’s downtown east side.
“During a hard time in his life, Maya’s guardian would come by to get food and supplies,” says Waters. “He loved Maya so much, he was willing to go without to feed her. Without the BC SPCA’s support, Maya’s guardian would have sacrificed food for himself to feed her instead. Because of the pet food bank and the incredible donations it receives, both Maya and her guardian were able to eat. Nobody should have to make that difficult decision Maya’s guardian was faced with.”
After Maya’s guardian got back on his feet, the pair would still visit Charlie’s. “He would bring Maya by to say hello, to dig for toys and treats, and to just hang out. He helped spread the word about the work we were doing and would also encourage others to use our services when they needed to.”
Waters adds she was heartbroken to hear that Maya recently passed away at the age of 14.
“We will all miss Maya’s visits to Charlie’s,” she says. “But we are so happy we could help Maya and her guardian when they needed us most.”
The BC SPCA’s pet food bank program relies on the generosity of the community to support guardians and their pets. Donations of unopened pet food for the food banks, as well as cash donations towards this important program, can help make sure no one is faced with the same decision as Maya’s guardian – to choose between feeding themself or their beloved animal.
“Our biggest need right now is dry and wet cat food and cat litter,” says Waters.
Waters told Coast Reporter the pet food donated to the Sunshine Coast SPCA is divided between the Sechelt, Gibsons and Pender Harbour food banks.
“So, if any items come into the SPCA for donation, they'll be sent back out into the community through those partner organizations,” said Waters. “And then it's kind of a one-stop shop at the food bank, so you can pick up your supplies there for yourself, and then also for your pet.”
The BC SPCA is also looking for volunteers to help collect and distribute pet food and supplies making a direct impact on pets and their families in need. If you are interested in becoming a BC SPCA volunteer, please visit spca.bc.ca/ways-to-help/volunteer. Donations of pet food and supplies can be dropped off at any BC SPCA animal centre. To make a monetary donation please visit spca.bc.ca.
Thanks to the Ian and Rosemary Mottershead Fund at the West Vancouver Foundation, all monetary donations towards this vital outreach work will be triple matched up to $35,000.
The Sunshine Coast SPCA is located at 4376 Solar Rd., Sechelt.
