With costs of living constantly rising in BC, pet-related expenses are often more now than they were several years ago which can make affording food difficult at times for some.
According to BC SPCA, cost is often a driving factor for people surrendering their pets to the organization, or worse, abandoning them.
For these reasons, and to ensure that cats and dogs in BC are getting the nutrients they deserve, the BC SPCA started its pet food bank initiative back in 2000.
The ultimate goal of this program is to help pet owners by taking away some of the financial burden by providing food and other supplies like cat litter when needed.
The organization says that this year, the program helped to feed 44,320 dogs and cats a week’s worth of food, and hopes to push this figure even higher.
“That works out to the BC SPCA supporting an average of 923 pets per week just through our pet food banks alone,” said Diane Waters, community services specialist, BC SPCA.
“We distributed the most pet food in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, but it was only slightly more than what we did in the Thompson, Okanagan and Kootenay.”
As for Vancouver Island, along with the Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast, donors helped BCSPCA garner food to aid 11,770 pets.
In addition to accepting donations from the public, BC SPCA includes a dedicated amount in its annual budget every year for purchasing dog and cat food and other supplies for the program.
“This budget line is trying to help make up the difference between what is donated and what is actually needed by the community,” says Waters.
“But we always see a need greater than what we can supply, even with a budget that increases each year. Unfortunately, that is no different in 2025.”
This program helps people and pets during difficult times. When someone loses their job, experiences an emergency or simply falls on hard times, they still need to feed their animal.
The BC SPCA’s pet food bank program offers them a way to do so with dignity, and without fear of having to give up their furry companion.
Mary Whittaker, BC SPCA’s pet food bank coordinator recalled one of their clients who had experienced difficult financial times.
“The pet food bank has been very helpful to our family when we’ve gone through tougher times and needed a hand,” she said. “We appreciate not having to worry about the dogs going hungry.”
BC SPCA asks that anyone who can spare some funds to help keep pets with their families by supporting the pet food bank program.
