Pet food banks need more resources amid rising demand and fewer donations

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Economic uncertainty and increased living costs are affecting British Columbia’s pet food bank donations. 

Diane Waters, the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) outreach specialist, said regular donors have not been able to donate as much this year due to financial constraints.

“A lot of the donors are used to donating on a monthly basis, a lot of them have pulled out just because they can’t afford to continue donating,” said Waters.

By May of 2024, 28,377kg of dry dog food, 11,869 cans of wet dog food, 11,070kg of dry cat food, 23,459 cans of wet cat food and 4,454kg of litter was distributed.

However, as of May 2025, the BC SPCA has only received 19,637kg of dry dog food, 5,963 cans of wet dog food, 9,626kg of dry cat food, 15,606 cans of wet cat food and 4,044kg of litter.

Despite the fewer donations, the organization has provided 4,180 more meals this year compared to the same period last year (294,501 in 2024 to 298,681 in 2025).

“We completely sympathize that people’s ability to donate is difficult right now with the economic challenges we are all facing,” said Waters.

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

In 2024, the BC SPCA pet food banks in Fort St. John also saw a large decrease in donations due to staff turnover affecting the organization’s public outreach and other partners in the region being unable to donate food.

“We weren’t able to hand out a lot of food in 2024,” said Waters. 

In 2025 so far, the Fort St. John BC SPCA has seen a large increase in donations compared to 2024, receiving nearly 1,070kg of dog food and over 363 bags of cat food. This has allowed 358 dogs and 250 cats to be helped.

Waters thanked the community for keeping the local BC SPCA going. 

“We found a lot of folks in the northeast region who really support the BC SPCA and our mission,” Waters said. 

Donations of pet food and supplies can be dropped off at any BC SPCA animal centre and money donations can be made here.