Donations decline as demand surges at BC SPCA pet food banks

Through the first five months of 2025, the BC SPCA’s pet foot bank program provided nearly 300,000 meals to pets in need.

Those meals have helped feed more than 20,000 vulnerable animals in British Columbia, the organization says.

According to the BC SPCA, it’s 4,180 meals more than the same period last year, an increase in demand that comes at the same time as a decline in donations.

“We completely sympathize that people’s ability to donate is difficult right now with the economic challenges we are all facing,” noted Diane Waters, outreach specialist at the BC SPCA.

“But without an increase in donations, we may not be able to support all the pet guardians who need the BC SPCA’s help.”

The pet food bank program relies mainly on the generosity of the community to support guardians and their pets, with a limited budget to purchase food to fill the gaps.

That budget is currently being stretched thin.

Waters said it’s important for the BC SPCA “to be that lifeline” and provide pet food and supplies to people when they need them the most.

She noted that most pet food bank clients only seek assistance for a brief time, not on a permanent basis, and shared a story of one client and his dog Maya.

“During a hard time in his life, Maya’s guardian would come by to get food and supplies. He loved Maya so much,” she explained.

Waters said Maya’s owner was willing to sacrifice eating himself to ensure that his beloved dog was fed, but didn’t have to make that tough decision thanks to the BC SPCA pet food bank.

“Nobody should have to make that difficult decision Maya’s guardian was faced with,” she noted.

Once Maya’s guardian got back on his feet, they would still visit the pet food bank so Maya could say hello, dog for toys and treats, and simply say hello.

Waters was heartbroken to learn that Maya recently passed away at the age of 14, but was grateful the BC SPCA could help her and her guardian out when they needed it most.

The BC SPCA is asking anyone who is able to consider a donation of either unopened pet food or money to the important program.

Waters says the biggest need at the moment is dry and wet cat food and cat litter, as well as volunteers to help collect and distribute pet food and supplies.

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