When it comes to putting food on the table or kibble in the dog’s bowl, some Peterborough residents are having to make tough choices when it comes to feeding themselves or their pets in challenging economic times.
That’s a situation the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is aiming to help families avoid by offering a pet pantry for community members.
Alongside partners Can-Pet Inc., The Kibble Project, the City of Peterborough, and Humane Canada, PHS recently hosted an event to distribute pet food, supplies, and essential items to residents in need just ahead of the holidays.
Held last Friday (December 12) at the Peterborough Public Library, the community pet pantry distribution event supported more than 350 pets and 155 residents, saving each household more than $100 so individuals and families could use those funds for other essential needs.
According to PHS social services worker Sara McKenzie, having access to a community pet pantry means people in need can keep both themselves and their pets fed, and also helps prevent people from having to give their pets up for adoption.
“When households are struggling to afford basic necessities, pet care can quickly become an overwhelming burden,” McKenzie told kawarthaNOW. “Many families have shared that they’ve gone without meals themselves to ensure their companion animals are fed.”
“The pet pantry is especially vital during today’s challenging economic times, providing critical support to families facing one of the most common factors driving rising rehoming requests — financial hardship,” McKenzie added.
She said that PHS has hosted five local distribution events as part of the community pet pantry program, teamed up with six community partners for redistribution, and dished out more than 20,000 pounds of pet food, helping support more than 2,000 local families to care for their beloved animals during tough times.
“By offering access to essential resources, the pantry helps families stay together while preserving the human-animal bond,” McKenzie said. “Through strong community partnerships and compassionate care, we are committed to keeping companion animals healthy and with the people who love them, because community care includes supporting both ends of the leash.”
During the December 12 event, people also enjoyed pizza and had the opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa Claus.
PHS said the community pet pantry is part of the continued growth of its prevention-focused outreach programs, and reinforces the organization’s dedication to strengthening the human-animal bond. Plans are already underway for future pet pantry programming to ensure continued support for local pet families.
“Pet pantries are a critical part of our commitment to keeping people and pets together,” said PHS CEO Shawn Morey in a statement. “Financial hardship remains one of the leading reasons families are forced to consider surrendering a beloved pet. By offering proactive support, we can reduce that pressure and prevent unnecessary heartbreak.”
PHS is a registered charity that advocates for animals by rescuing lost, stray, and homeless pets throughout Peterborough County. It is an Open Admission for Life Centre and the largest animal shelter in Peterborough County.
All animals in its care receive veterinary care, vaccinations, and are microchipped, and spayed/neutered prior to being adopted.
PHS does not receive any government or institutional funding for their operations and relies on generous donations from the community. For more information about the Peterborough Humane Society and to donate, visit peterboroughhumanesociety.ca.
