Demand is surging for the BC SPCA's pet food bank, but donations are falling
As the cost of living for British Columbians continues to rise, the BC SPCA says it is experiencing a decline in donations for one of its key services.
In a recent press release, the organization reported that the drop is affecting all their animal centres across the province.
As of May 31, 2025, the BC SPCA's pet food bank program provided 298,681 meals to pets in need, which they report is an increase of 4,180 meals compared to the previous year.
1:39
Charlie's Pet Food Bank cares for pets in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
In total, they have fed more than 20,000 vulnerable animals in B.C. this year.
Story continues below advertisement
'We completely sympathize that people's ability to donate is difficult right now with the economic challenges we are all facing,' said Diane Waters, outreach specialist for the BC SPCA.
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
'But without an increase in donations, we may not be able to support all the pet guardians who need the BC SPCA's help.'
BC SPCA
The BC SPCA shared how one client and his dog Maya were supported by Charlie's Pet Food Bank, a community initiative that improves the lives of pets in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
'During a hard time in his life, Maya's guardian would come by to get food and supplies,' said Waters.
'He loved Maya so much; he was willing to go without (food) to feed her.'
Waters expressed her concerns over guardians having to sacrifice food for themselves to feed their pets instead.
Story continues below advertisement
'Nobody should have to make that difficult decision Maya's guardian was faced with,' she said.
4:04
High cost of caring for pets hitting some British Columbians hard
The BC SPCA is asking the community for donations of unopened pet food and/or cash donations for their food banks.
The biggest need right now is cat food and cat litter.
The BC SPCA is also looking for volunteers to help collect and distribute pet goods and supplies.
Donations of supplies can be dropped off at any BC SPCA animal centre.
You can find out more about how to donate at the BC SPCA's website.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
28 minutes ago
- Global News
Air India crash: What are next steps as probe looks for ‘full picture'?
From eyewitnesses and videos to the actual wreckage itself, those probing the crash of Air India Flight 171 on Thursday will try to get the 'full picture' into what happened, plane crash investigation experts say, though it may take some time for the cause to be known. That investigation is already underway, with investigators having collected one of the plane's black boxes — the flight data recorder — as the search for more victims in the crash that killed at least 241 on board and more on the ground continues. One man on board the plane survived the crash. 'I think it's like any investigation … you start with the easiest, most obvious stud and then you dig down accordingly,' said Nigel Waterhouse, an aeronautical engineering aircraft certification expert. 'They'll try to get the full picture.' Story continues below advertisement Waterhouse said the first thing investigators will do is interview witnesses 'as soon as possible.' They will try to get information such as if smoke was coming from an engine or loud noises were heard, as well as asking if the plane was climbing, diving or other 'obvious things that people would notice.' Videos taken of the plane and airport will also be looked at as it could give insight into what was happening at the time. Anthony Brickhouse, a U.S.-based aerospace safety consultant, told Global News on Thursday that the goal of the investigation is to answer three questions. 2:04 Sole survivor of Air India crash speaks out: 'I don't know how I survived' 'What happened, why did it happen, and most importantly, what can be done to prevent it from happening again,' he said. Story continues below advertisement Investigators will also look at the conditions at takeoff, including the airport and weather, for potential impacts. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Though interviews play a key role, examination of the airplane and the black boxes — the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder — will be 'very important' in determining the causes. According to Brickhouse, the data recorder can provide information on the operation of the aircraft. The voice recorder records voice and sounds and can not only pick up communication between the pilot and co-pilot, including signs of stress in their voices. 'So the cockpit voice recorder is going to record voice and sounds and then we have what's called the digital flight data recorder, which has a capability to record well over 1,000 different parameters,' Brickhouse said. 'So anything you would like to know about the operation of that aircraft it is probably going to be on the flight data recorder.' The data and voice recorder also work in partnership, Waterhouse notes, as investigators can listen to the pilot and co-pilot going through their checklist for takeoff and then cross-reference it to what the data recorder shows the controls were set to. He added that examining the remnants of the aircraft will also help in the probe, with the wreckage being taken away and analyzed to determine what was happening at the time of impact. Story continues below advertisement 'So the data recorders will give the clues of where to start to look, and then they'll verify with the actual wreckage and whatever they can see from the aircraft systems,' Waterhouse added. How long until an answer? Even with all the data and interviews conducted, it's difficult to say exactly how soon information on the cause of the crash will be available. If the cause of the flight was due to just one issue, information could be known within two to three days, but delays could occur if the process is not as clear cut. The U.S. is also participating in the investigation with the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing and General Electric involved. Waterhouse said if the data recorders need to be sent to the U.S. for further examination, it could lead to logistical delays. Also, discussions between India and the U.S. bodies to confirm results could add to that. Story continues below advertisement 2:03 'She left just days ago': Toronto mom killed in India crash remembered by grieving family Damage to the black boxes could also create difficulties to the investigation, though he noted the devices are built to withstand a fairly significant impact, so it's unlikely the data would be lost. While the data could be known within a short amount of time, the process of releasing the findings could add to the time as discussions may be needed around things like liabilities and fault, prompting legal conversations. Brickhouse told Global News the work being done should help determine what caused the crash which, in turn, could help prevent future incidents from happening. 'I'm confident the second they come across something that could have caused this accident, the world will know about it and appropriate changes will be made,' he said. — With files from The Associated Press
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
Oh, deer: West Winnipeg residents warned of aggressive animal
While it's not unusual to see deer within Winnipeg's city limits, the behaviour of one particular hoofed creature has the province warning residents to keep their distance. A warning sign has been erected on Browning Boulevard in the Westwood area, warning people to stay at least 30 metres away — or the equivalent of three school buses — as a deer protecting its newborn fawn has been the subject of multiple calls about its aggressive behaviour. So far, no one has been hurt by the deer, but it has reportedly charged toward people if they get too close. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy According to the province, putting out this kind of warning is a very rare occurrence — something that happens maybe once every year or two. So far, it's the best method of keeping both the animals and human residents of the area safe, as conservation officials say relocating the parent and child duo is a last resort, as it could cause significant stress for the deer. Story continues below advertisement The province expects the situation will calm down on its own, once the fawn can get around on its own, but for now, you're urged to stay away.
Global News
2 hours ago
- Global News
Manitoba communities prepare to return home after wildfires displaced thousands
Two First Nations organizations are teaming up to provide services for northern Manitoba wildfire evacuees, while some affected communities are getting set to return home. The Southern Chiefs' Organization, which represents 32 First Nations in southern Manitoba, says it will provide culturally safe supports to hundreds who have fled to Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie and the Winkler and Morden area. Thousands from five northern First Nations have been forced out of their home communities over the last two weeks, with many of them staying in Winnipeg. The organization will oversee the operation of reception centres, distribute supplies and provide on-site safety and security at evacuation centres and hotels in collaboration with local municipalities and emergency services. Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said the organization is committed to compassionate, dignified and culturally grounded care. Story continues below advertisement 'Having to meet the need that we are seeing on the ground, I think, has been the highest priority for all of us and being able to do that in a timely way, as well, has been very important to everybody who's going through this situation right now.' Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents 26 northern First Nations, including those that have evacuated, has spearheaded support efforts in Winnipeg, but said it needed help to reach evacuees outside the city. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We don't have enough manpower to be able to go to all of these,' Grand Chief Garrison Settee told reporters Friday. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has said some hotel owners are not doing enough to help evacuees. After touring some fire-hit areas Thursday, he said most hotel operators have been great, but some need to open up rooms as there are evacuees still sleeping in cots in emergency shelters. Meanwhile, some communities are preparing to return home this weekend. Residents from Snow Lake, in northwestern Manitoba, have been told the mandatory evacuation order issued a week ago has been lifted. People can begin going home early Saturday, the town said on social media. The post told residents to stock up on groceries and other essential supplies and pack a to-go bag in case fire conditions worsen and they have to evacuate again. Story continues below advertisement Officials in Flin Flon said late Thursday that fire crews are holding the fire line and conditions are stabilizing. Deputy Mayor Alison Dallas-Funk said the city has reached out to the Northern Health Region to see about reinstating basic core health care services, one of the conditions that needs to be met before the city's 5,000 residents can return. 'We're hoping to get some answers from them as soon as possible,' she said. About 21,000 people in Manitoba have had to evacuate, including from Flin Flon, Pimicikamak Cree Nation and other areas. There's a fire burning about five kilometres away from Pimicikamak, while the one near Flin Flon is the largest in the province, spanning about 3,000 square kilometres. A smaller fire is burning south of Cranberry Portage, but the community's 600 residents will be allowed to return home starting Saturday.
