Pet food bank usage on the rise in Ottawa: Humane society
Posted Aug 13, 2024 09:55:16 AM.
Last Updated Aug 13, 2024 11:02:34 AM.
The number of families relying on food banks to feed their pets in on the rise in Ottawa.
“Our pet food bank is seeing increasing demand,” Sharon Miko, Ottawa Humane Society President and CEO, said. “Last year, we provided more than 18,000 kg of pet food to families in the community. This year we’re expecting between a 20 to 30 per cent increase.”
The OHS operates an Emergency Pet Food Bank from its location on 245 West Hunt Club Rd. every Thursday and provides funds to the Ottawa Food Bank to distribute pet food in the community.
“For anyone who relies on public transportation, getting to the shelter and travelling with a heavy bag of pet food presents a major barrier,” explained Miko. “Bringing the service directly into the community means we’re able to reach more people and ensure pets can stay in homes where they are loved.”
The humane society is also hosting a pop-up pet food bank on Thursday, Aug. 15 in partnership with the Sandy Hill Community and Health Centre. Staff will be collecting donations near the front entrance between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
In an OHS community survey, an overwhelming majority of respondents identified pet affordability as a top issue threatening to separate pets from their owners and the pop-up is part of the humane society’s efforts to keep more pets and families together.
More information on the OHS’s pet food bank is available here.
