In the rugged landscape of British Columbia’s Cariboo North region, a growing number of families are facing difficult choices between feeding themselves or their beloved pets. As winter approaches and economic pressures mount, the BC SPCA’s pet food bank program has become an essential community service, helping to keep families and their animals together through challenging times.
“What we’re seeing on the ground is heartbreaking,” says Lorie Chortyk, BC SPCA’s general manager of communications. “Families who’ve never needed assistance before are coming to us, often in tears, because they can’t afford to feed their pets but can’t bear the thought of surrendering them.”
The program, which operates through the Williams Lake and Quesnel branches, distributed more than 2,800 kilograms of pet food last year alone to families throughout the region. This year, demand has already increased by 35%, according to branch statistics.
For Cariboo North residents like Jennie Mackenzie, the program has been transformative. “After my husband’s workplace accident, we were suddenly living on one income with three children and our two dogs,” Mackenzie told me during a visit to the Williams Lake distribution center. “The BC SPCA food bank meant we didn’t have to choose between groceries for the kids or food for the animals that are part of our family.”
Behind the scenes, local branch manager Sam Wilson and a team of volunteers coordinate with regional food banks to ensure pet supplies reach the most remote communities. “We’re seeing particular challenges in places like Horsefly and Likely, where transportation barriers compound financial difficulties,” Wilson explains while loading donations into a volunteer’s truck bound for outlying areas.
The program relies heavily on community support. Local businesses like North Cariboo Feed Supply have established collection points, while volunteers transport donations to distribution centers. According to BC SPCA financial reports, each dollar donated can provide approximately four meals for animals in need.
What makes this program especially valuable in the Cariboo North context is the region’s unique socioeconomic profile. Statistics Canada data shows the area has higher than provincial average rates of seasonal employment, creating periods of financial vulnerability for working families. Additionally, the region’s aging population often lives on fixed incomes, making them particularly susceptible to inflation’s impacts.
“For seniors especially, pets represent companionship and purpose,” notes Dr. Ellen Thompson, a local veterinarian who volunteers with the program. “When we help keep these animals fed and healthy, we’re also supporting the mental and emotional wellbeing of their owners.”
The program extends beyond food. Basic veterinary supplies, leashes, collars, and bedding are also distributed based on availability. At a recent distribution day in Quesnel, I watched as elderly resident Frank McPherson received not just cat food for his three felines, but also badly needed flea treatments he couldn’t otherwise afford.
“These cats are all I’ve got since my wife passed,” McPherson said, his voice catching. “I don’t know what I’d do without this help.”
Local officials acknowledge the program’s importance to community wellbeing. Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes points to research showing that keeping families with their pets reduces strain on other social services. “When people surrender pets due to financial hardship, we often see corresponding increases in healthcare utilization related to depression and isolation,” Oakes notes.
The BC SPCA has recently expanded its outreach to include Indigenous communities in the region, working with local First Nations to ensure culturally appropriate service delivery. This partnership has been particularly important in addressing needs in more remote settlements where conventional social services are limited.
As winter approaches, program coordinators are concerned about meeting increased demand. “We typically see a 40% jump in requests between November and February,” Wilson explains. “The combination of heating costs and holiday expenses puts additional pressure on family budgets.”
For those wishing to support the program, donations of sealed pet food, cat litter, and pet supplies can be dropped off at BC SPCA branches in Williams Lake and Quesnel. Monetary donations, which allow for bulk purchasing of supplies, can be made through the organization’s website with specific designation to the Cariboo North pet food bank program.
What started as a small emergency measure during economic downturns has evolved into an essential community service, reflecting both the region’s challenges and its spirit of mutual support. As Chortyk puts it, “In the Cariboo, people take care of each other – and that includes the four-legged members of our families.”
For families in need, the pet food bank operates weekly distribution days at both branch locations, with emergency provisions available between scheduled times. Those seeking assistance can contact their local branch directly or be referred through community service agencies.
In a region where bonds between people and their animals run deep, this program represents more than just pet food – it’s about preserving the connections that make houses into homes, even when times get tough.
