KAMLOOPS – Feeding a pet is one of the most basic responsibilities of an owner.
For pet parents struggling to make ends meet, the BC SPCA pet food bank program keeps animals fed.
Local needs for the program have been increasing since the pandemic — so much so that lately, the Kamloops branch is barely keeping up.
“We are in desperate need of pet food bank donations. We’ve seen a huge increase in need from our community here in Kamloops and surrounding communities in the Thompson-Nicola region,” said Ashley Fontaine-Ost, Senior Manager, BC SPCA Thompson-Nicola Region. “But we’ve actually seen a decrease or decline in donations coming in.”
The Kamloops program supplies food to individuals in need, as well as 10 organizations in the region, including the Aboriginal Friendship Society.
“We have a fairly large number of clients that we support at the friendship society through our mini storage and outreach program that have pets,” Jennifer Adams from the Aboriginal Friendship Society told CFJC News. “Sometimes people are actually homeless because they have pets and they can’t find pet friendly housing and it’s a bigger issue than some people realize.”
With increasing demand, the food supply is dwindling.
“Usually these cupboards are filled with pet food, this room usually is overflowing with pet food,” Fontaine-Ost explained. “But right now, as you can see, we are really running scarce, which is scary for the people in our community, for those organizations, for those 10 other organizations that we are providing pet food for.”
During fire season, the BC SPCA helps board and feed pets and livestock who have been evacuated. This year, providing pet food to evacuees will be a struggle.
“We are trying to be a little bit more proactive on our end and backfill the need but we can barely keep up with the need as is now,” Fontaine-Ost said.
The Kamloops shelter is asking for donations of pet food and supplies. Items can be brought to the branch located at 2816 Tranquille Rd. Donations will also be accepted at Norbrock Stadium on Tuesday, June 20, during the NorthPaws BC SPCA night.
