Pet food bank at Winnipeg Humane Society helps families struggling with rising costs

The shelter’s emergency pet food bank is supporting between 100 and 150 families a month, helping them keep beloved and otherwise healthy animals out of the shelter. Joanne Roberts has the story.

By Joanne Roberts

Posted December 29, 2023 4:03 pm.

Last Updated December 29, 2023 8:20 pm.

The Winnipeg Humane Society’s pet food bank is doing its part to ease the strain on the animal shelter by keeping owners from surrendering their pets.

Many Winnipeggers have been unable to keep up with the cost of pet food and supplies since the COVID-19 pandemic, says the WHS’ manager of intake and animal care.

“Things have really picked up and unfortunately, many people need to surrender their animals. And also, we take strays,” Audrey Barnabe told CityNews.

“Everything has gone up, right? Inflation, cost of living – COVID set a lot of people back. People are struggling financially. That’s why we have our emergency pet food bank.”

A grey cat peeks out of its sleeping spot as visitors come into the cuddle room. (Joanne Roberts, CityNews)

WHS puts $1,000 towards the emergency pet food bank every month, in addition to community donations. The food bank has been supporting between 100 and 150 families a month since it began three years ago.

Barnabe says the holidays are always a big struggle with more animals being surrendered “because they just couldn’t afford to feed them.”

Winnipeg Humane Society’s emergency pet food bank. (Joanne Roberts, CityNews)

She says the food bank doesn’t only help owners feed their pets; it also helps people keep loved and otherwise healthy animals out of shelters.

“We want to help people in the community keep their animals at home,” she said. “That’s where the animals want to be. People need their pets, so this is a way to help them be able to keep their pet and feed their pet.”

Audrey Barnabe, manager of intake and animal care at the Winnipeg Humane Society. (Joanne Roberts, CityNews)

WHS low on food, foster families

As successful as the pet food bank is, Barnabe says, the shelter is low on food and foster families this time of year. She hopes people remember WHS as they continue to give for the holidays.

“We need donations for all our programs here. We are not government-funded, we are a charity, so we need the community to help us help pets in need.”

The shelter is always looking for donations of dry and wet dog and cat food, cat litter, food for rabbits and birds, and general animal treats. Donations can be dropped off on location; volunteers can help with drop-offs for people with accessibility issues.

To access the food bank, people can register on the website and get food for up to four animals once a month.