We Asked and Your Answer Stunned Us
After launching our emergency pet food drive, donations have poured in from caring people across Ottawa. Every delivery of kibble, canned food and bag of treats represents someone saying, "We're here to help."
To everyone who has donated already: thank you. Your generosity is reaching pets and families exactly when they need you most. And the need hasn't slowed.
We’re hearing from the community that people are skipping meals so their pet can eat. Others have never asked for help before, but rising costs have left them with no other choice. Through it all, one thing is always clear: these pets are deeply loved.
When families face temporary financial hardship, a bag of pet food can be the difference between a pet staying in the home where they are loved or being heartbreakingly separated from their people.
The bond between a pet and their person is precious, and people will go to incredible lengths for a beloved pet. The Ottawa Humane Society Emergency Pet Food Bank helps loving families stay together and eases suffering for pets and the people who love them.
Donations from the pet food drive are already going to work! We held an Emergency Pet Food Bank just yesterday and caught up with one of the families who need this essential service. Zena’s person said:
My pets mean everything to me. I heard about the pet food bank when I was struggling for a bit especially in the winter. With the prices of groceries and everything going up, it’s been difficult. When I found out about the program, I was over the moon because I’ve been able to catch up on bills and actually get some groceries and save up to buy a couple bags of pet food.
When I hear people are struggling I often let them know about the program so it’ll help them as much as it helped me, and at least they don’t have to surrender their pets. When people are struggling financially, it doesn’t mean we can’t care for pets and don’t deserve them. It just means we’ll make sacrifices for them.
To make this essential service even more accessible, we're bringing our Emergency Pet Food Bank directly into the community with a pop-up event on Tuesday, July 28, at the future home of the Ottawa Humane Society Community Veterinary Clinic in Vanier. We know transportation and access can be barriers to getting help, and we want to make sure support reaches the pets and people who need it most.
Pets belong with the people who love them. When we can keep families together, whether through emergency pet food, accessible veterinary care, or other community supports, we're building a stronger safety net for both ends of the leash.
If you've been meaning to contribute to our pet food drive, there's still time. Every donation helps stock our shelves and ensures we're ready for the next family who needs a little extra support.
It’s thanks to you that the Ottawa Humane Society can be here for Ottawa’s pets and the people who love them.
Heather Hunter
Director: Outreach & Community Services