New pet food bank helping cash-strapped owners affected by COVID-19

A Vancouver dog rescue group whose work has been put on hold because of the COVID-19 crisis is putting its efforts into helping dog and cat owners suffering from financial hardship.

Thank Dog I Am Out Rescue Society normally adopts dogs from the US into forever homes in BC, but has had to pause its efforts because of the temporary border closure.

But hearing about pet owners who have lost their jobs because of the financial downturn, founder Susan Patterson wanted to help “all fur baby families feed their pups during this difficult time,” especially those short on cash to buy pet food in the coming months.

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Her group has launched the FURBabyFoodBank to provide free pet food to hardworking Metro Vancouver pet owners who have found themselves short of cash because of the pandemic.

Thank Dog I Am Out Rescue pet food drive.

The group is looking for donations of new, unopened dog and cat food, either canned or kibble.  Drop offs can be made at the Tisol / Petvalu on Arbutus Street, but if that’s not convenient you can email email [email protected] to find out the nearest drop off location. Alternatively, the group is taking monetary donations and a tax receipt is provided for gifts of $25 or more. All money collected will be used to purchase food for pet owners in need.  They’re aiming to raise $5,000 by May 29.

The food will be distributed to pet owners on May 30 and 31st at a Wesgroup location in New Westminster. Affected pet parents are encouraged to visit the TDIAO website for more information about how to pick up the free food.

This is the second pet food bank to be established in Vancouver in recent months in hopes of making sure pet parents have enough food for their animals during COVID. The BC SPCA sent out an urgent plea to the public in April asking for donations of cat litter and pet food to be dropped off at its 36 provincial shelters.

Pet owners that need food support for their pet are asked to call the BC SPCA call centre to find out how to access provisions.