The BC SPCA’s Shuswap Branch is expanding its pet food bank services to pet guardians in their community who have been financially impacted during the COVID-19 crisis.

“In these challenging times, we have increased our support for pet guardians through existing community partnerships,” says Victoria Olynik, manager of the BC SPCA in Salmon Arm. “Our goal is to help keep families and their pets together at a time when companionship from animals is needed more than ever.”

Olynik says the Shuswap SPCA is extremely grateful to the community for the donations of unopened dry and canned pet food and cat litter that the SPCA has been able to distribute to pet guardians in the region through the Animal Food Bank and the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Vahlleri Semeniuk, manager of the Second Harvest Food Bank, says the clients who use their service appreciate having pet food options available as well as the regular food items. “We’re so thankful for the partnership we’ve had with the Shuswap SPCA for the past five years,” she says. “Even before the pandemic, our clients would be happy to see the SPCA volunteer and pet food bins as the first point of contact when coming into our building. It’s a great community service.”

Individuals who would like to access the pet food supplies are invited to call the Second Harvest Food Bank at 250-833-4011, request food online through the Animal Food Bank or call the Shuswap SPCA at 250-832-7376.

Information is also available through the BC SPCA Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722. Pet food donations can be dropped off at the BC SPCA Shuswap Branch, located at 5850 Auto Rd. SE, Salmon Arm.