Nicholas L. M. Allen
Feb 8, 2023
"People often don't think about the fact people consider pets members of the household… and they need to eat too."
Pet Valu, a leading Canadian retailer of pet food and pet-related supplies announced on February 2 it is donating $1.6 million worth of dog and cat food to help pets and devoted pet owners in need across Canada.
The donation, which weighs more than 335,000 lbs and includes more than 33,000 bags of food, will be delivered to the Ontario SPCA, Food Banks Alberta, BC SPCA, Animal Food Bank and Wild West Animal League. These organizations will then distribute the food to rescue partners, food banks and communities across Ontario and western Canada, including the Crowsnest Pass.
Arianna Scott, CEO of Food Banks Alberta, said the Crowsnest Pass Food Bank will receive 12 cases of dry dog food, dry cat food and wet dog food.
“These kinds of donations are of huge value to our members. People often don't think about the fact people consider pets members of the household… and they need to eat too,” said Scott.
She said given the current economic crisis, there are more people using food banks than ever before. According to Scott, a large number of those families likely having pets and being able to access pet food is “critical” for pet owners. This donation from Pet Valu has been welcomed by food banks across Canada, with Scott hoping the donations continue.
“This is the first time we've worked with Pet Valu directly, but we are excited to form an ongoing long-term relationship with them,” added Scott.
The impact of Pet Valu’s donation has not only being acknowledged by Food Banks Alberta, with the large-scale pet food donation providing support to the SPCA in Ontario as well.
“In addition to ensuring thousands of pets will not go hungry for months to come, we can now re-direct the funds that we’d set aside for food to other areas of need,” said Jennifer Bluhm, Vice President of Community Outreach Services for the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, “At a time when the rising cost of living is making it difficult for some pet lovers to feed, and even keep, their pets, this contribution will help ensure pets can stay with the families who love them and enable us to provide better support to the animals in our care.”
With the goal of helping as many pets in need as possible, the pallets of pet food will be shipped from warehouses in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.
"We are thrilled to continue our support for local pet shelter and rescue facilities across Canada by providing additional nutritional aid to pets and devoted pet lovers in need," said Kendalee MacKay, Chief Merchandising Officer at Pet Valu.
To learn more about Pet Valu visit petvalu.ca. For more information on the Crowsnest Pass Food Bank visit facebook.com/FoodCNP or donate at canadahelps.org/en/charities/crowsnest-pass-food-bank-society.