As more individuals face the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, many pet guardians are finding it difficult to stretch the budget to cover pet food and supplies.
To help address this need, 91原创 Animal Protection Society, the local food banks, and the BC SPCA in Surrey are all offering expanded pet food bank outreach programs.
(LAPS), for instance, is pitching in.
Through the Patti Dale Animal Shelter in Aldergrove and LAPS鈥� Major Legacy Fund, they鈥檙e providing food, litter, and other basic necessities for people in need in the community, explained executive director Jayne Nelson.
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鈥淧eople can pick up food, by appointment, from the shelter for their pets,鈥� she explained. The shelter, open seven days a week at 26220 56th Ave., can be reached at 604-857-5055.
鈥淲e are grateful to those in the community who have made donations of food to help us keep our food bank stocked,鈥� she added, noting that last week alone the team at the shelter made up about 30 care packages (including food, toys, and collars) for delivery to Kimz Angels, who in turn will hand them out to homeless in the community who have pets.
As well, they鈥檝e left bags of pet food with the pastor at the Vineyard Church, for distribution to people in need and even assisted with a few emergency veterinary case.
In addition to aid offered through LAPS, there are other ways to ensure dogs and cats are being taken care of during the COVID pandemic.
If pet guardians in Surrey, White Rock, 91原创, or Richmond need help, the BC SPCA in Surrey is announcing their team is also there to help at this time, said assistant manager Elaine Nelson.
鈥淎nimals are such an importance part of our lives, and we want to do everything we can to keep families and pets together,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淲e want them to know we are here to support them.鈥�
Individual seeking assistance with pet food can make an appointment to pick up for their pets by calling the BC SPCA in Surrey and leaving a voicemail at 604-574-1711, ext. 5. No-contact pick ups can be scheduled daily, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Surrey SPCA, located at 16748 50th Avenue.
In addition to providing food to individual pet guardians, the BC SPCA recently provided a large food donation to the Surrey Community Cat Coalition, which supports community cats and their caretakers in the Surrey area, as well as a few food banks in the region.
鈥淏y providing food donations like these, we鈥檙e able to ensure these cats are not overlooked during this crisis,鈥� Nelson said.
鈥淲e are so grateful for the generosity and compassion of those who are dropping off donations of unopened dry and wet pet food,鈥� she added. 鈥淚t is so incredible to see our community pulling together to support one another in these challenging times.鈥�
In the meantime, the 91原创 food banks also has a limited quantity of pet food it鈥檚 making available to registered clients, some of that coming from community donations and some from the .
Earlier this week, for instance, the 91原创 Food Bank received an unexpected delivery of cat and dog food from the Surrey SPCA. That delivery has ensured the local food bank can keep up with the needs of the growing number of clients walking in the door of the downtown 91原创 facility, said executive director Jim Calamunce.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very appreciative of the donation,鈥� he said, noting that the community in general has stepped up to help with all types of food donations (including pet food) during this time when so many are suddenly out of work or their jobs have been curtailed and they can鈥檛 get by without help.
鈥淭he way people have really stepped up, that says a lot of about our community,鈥� Calamunce said.
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This food bank is currently serving about 725 families, that includes about 45 who have joined since the COVID pandemic was announced in early March. Of those, about 35 to 40 per cent have pets, and Calamunce said receiving a couple days worth of pet food from the food bank lessens the stress and burden on local families.
This food bank is located at 5768 203rd St., and information and registration details are available or by calling 604-533-0671.
Sources 91原创 Food Bank also gives out pet food, as it is available, and there is a good stock at present.
鈥淲homever has been donating to us has been very generous,鈥� one volunteer said. Sources Food Bank is located in a new warehouse at #208 鈥� 20445 62nd Ave. And information and registration details are available .
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