An increase in demand has left the BC SPCA struggling to stock their food banks, and an early start to the province乌鸦传媒檚 wildfire season has only made matters worse.
According to the animal welfare group乌鸦传媒檚 outreach specialist, Diane Waters, the number of organizations being supported is at 155 乌鸦传媒� up from 139.
乌鸦传媒淲e are constantly getting requests for pet food and supplies,乌鸦传媒� she said in an update Friday (May 26).
When some Fort St. John residents, including BC SPCA staff and animals, were forced to evacuate last week due to wildfires, supplies were diverted to assist those who had been displaced.
乌鸦传媒淲hen guardians and their pets are evacuated due to a natural disaster like wildfires or floods, they can be away from their homes for weeks at a time,乌鸦传媒� Waters said. 乌鸦传媒淭hey often rely on the BC SPCA乌鸦传媒檚 pet food banks for food and supplies until they are allowed to return.乌鸦传媒�
Over the past four months, the demand for help from the BC SPCA has increased significantly, especially in Victoria.
乌鸦传媒淪ince 2022, we have seen an over 25 per cent increase in demand for the pet food bank program,乌鸦传媒� said Breanne Beckett, senior manager of animal care services in Victoria. 乌鸦传媒淭he current food security landscape in our community and rising costs of living have had an impact.乌鸦传媒�
The BC SPCA said that a new partnership in Vancouver with the Broadway Youth Resource Centre has been a huge help in keeping the pet food bank stocked.
乌鸦传媒淭hrough our partnership with the BC SPCA, I have come to realize the immense love that the youth who come to our centre have for their pets,乌鸦传媒� said Luke Guilbault, resource room youth worker.
乌鸦传媒淚 have had discussions with young people who often go hungry so they can feed their pets who are very often their best friends. The positive impact of this program on our youth and their animal companions cannot be overstated.乌鸦传媒�
The biggest need at animal food banks is dry and wet cat food and cat litter. The organization is also looking for volunteer and foster families.
In 2022, the BC SPCA provided 532,000 meals through pet food banks.
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