BC SPCA appeals for pet food donations to help vulnerable pet owners

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WatchThe BC SPCA says with so many people impacted by COVID-19 it wants to be able to help pet owners who may be financially struggling and can't feed their pet.

With more and more families impacted by illness, job loss and other challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, the BC SPCA has launched an appeal for pet food donations to help vulnerable people who own pets.

The SPCA says in these extraordinary times it’s more important than ever to keep families and their pets together and to help reduce the financial and emotional strain they are under.

“We are not only about looking after the animals that don’t have a home but we’re about looking after our community. Our community looks after us,” said Leon Davis, manager of the BC SPCA Nanaimo and District branch.

“We want to make sure animals stay home where they belong and don’t have to give them up because they can’t afford to feed them.”

All pets in the SPCA’s care are fed with food donated by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, but the majority of the BC SPCA’s 36 branches also distribute pet food donated by the community, either at their own location or through a community partner, such as the Salvation Army.

“We want to ramp this up in case the need grows so we’re asking people to donate cat/dog food and if you’re in need of food you can call our hotline at 1-855-622-7722,” said Davis.

You can also call that number to find out more about your community’s needs and the drop-off or delivery location nearest you.

In 2019, the BC SPCA assisted nearly 10,000 vulnerable pet guardians.

Kendall HansonKendall Hanson

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