From dogs to cats and rats to birds, the BC SPCA’s pet food bank in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside has been feeding hungry animals for the last 15 years.
Every Thursday at Mission Possible, Charlie’s Foodbank provides free food to the pets of low-income individuals, people living outdoors, and senior pet guardians. The pet food bank was named after a dog that was intentionally starved by his owner, and died despite the best rescue efforts of the BC SPCA.
Volunteer Valerie Nicholson first came to Charlie’s looking for help for her own pet.
“I was down and out when we had the dog, and if it wasn't for Charlie's Foodbank we wouldn't have been able to keep her and give her the life that she so deserved,” Nicholson says.
Dr. Jamie Lawson, chief animal health officer for the BC SPCA, started the pet food bank in 2000 with the Vancouver Food Bank. Charlie’s relies on donations, and also connects people with pet supplies, vet care, and free spaying and neutering.
More than 5,000 pounds of pet food are distributed every month – and the numbers keep growing.
“We've probably gone from [helping] like 30 to 40 people a week to up to 100, 150 people a week,” says Kim Monteith, manager of animal welfare at the BC SPCA. “A lot of people will give up their own food just to feed their pet.”
This is something Rick Benner has done at times in order to feed his dog Axl. The pair are regulars at Charlie’s.
“Their help means a lot, I’m really grateful that they’re here,” Benner says, noting that that Axl is a morale booster for more than just him.
“I can barely go a block without somebody wanting to pet him or say good morning to Axl and these are sometimes pretty rough guys and you see them just melt because they have a pet.”
Donations to Charlie’s can be made through the BC SPCA.
With files from CTV Vancouver’s Maria Weisgarber
