Demand climbs at BC SPCA pet food banks
The BC SPCA says it's struggling to keep up with demand at its pet food banks across the province, particularly because of recent natural disasters.
The SPCA says it sends food to places suffering wildfires and floods. Last week, when some residents were evacuated from Fort St. John, more supplies were sent to the B.C. community, for example.
"This is on top of an increase in demand across the province in the last four months, especially for those on a fixed income," said the SPCA in a release Thursday.
The pet food bank at the BC SPCA branch in Victoria has been particularly busy.
"Since 2022, we have seen an over 25 per cent increase in demand for the pet food bank program," said Breanne Beckett, senior manager of animal care services for the BC SPCA Victoria area.
"The current food security landscape in our community and rising costs of living have had an impact," she said.
"The BC SPCA’s efforts to increase awareness of the program have also meant more people are reaching out for help."
The SPCA says food donations benefit both people and animals.
At the Broadway Youth Resource Centre in Vancouver, operators say pet food and other supplies makes a tangible impact on its visitors.
(BC SPCA)"I have had discussions with young people who often go hungry so they can feed their pets who are very often their best friends," said Luke Guilbault, resource room youth worker at the centre.
"The positive impact of this program on our youth and their animal companions cannot be overstated."
DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS
Over the past year, the BC SPCA says the number of organizations it has been supporting with food and supplies has risen from 139 to 155 over the past year.
"We are constantly getting requests for pet food and supplies," said Diane Waters, BC SPCA outreach specialist.
The SPCA is now seeking donations for its pet food bank, including cash, unopened pet food or other supplies – particularly dry and wet cat food and cat litter.
It's also looking for volunteers to help collect and distribute the pet food and supplies.
The SPCA adds that community members Norm and Paddy MacSween have offered to match all donations up to $10,000, in memory of their relative Susan MacSween.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.