This is a list of pet food banks in southern Ontario that aim to support families and their furry friends. They are not intended to be a forever source of pet food but can get you through a rough patch when you’ve had unexpected expenses.
The map may not work well for you, so we’ve developed our own list.
Use the table of contents to quickly jump to the location you want.
Donating pet food and other supplies
Contact your local animal shelters, rescue organizations, or pet food banks. Many of these organizations accept donations of unopened, unexpired pet food, and some may also accept opened but properly stored dry food.
- Many local animal shelters and rescue organizations rely on donations to feed the animals in their care.
- Before donating, it’s a good idea to call ahead to confirm their specific needs and donation guidelines.
- Most shelters will only accept unopened, unexpired pet food.
How Pet Food Banks Work:
- Eligibility: Pet food banks typically serve individuals experiencing temporary financial hardship or unexpected expenses.
- Food Distribution: They provide pet food and sometimes other supplies like leashes, bowls, bedding and toys.
- Donations: Pet food banks operate on donations of food, money, and supplies.
- Temporary Assistance: The focus is on providing short-term relief, not long-term feeding solutions.
- Community Events: Some pet food banks also host community events to distribute pet food and supplies.
Our list of pet food banks in Southern Ontario
This list was researched and developed by our volunteers. If you notice an error or something missing, please drop a line to info@pawscanada.ca with the name, address and any information you can share about the pet food bank. Help us keep this up to date!
London, Middlesex
- Check here for Pet Food Banks (London) / No Empty Bowls
Various locations across Middlesex County offering pet food, litter, treats:
- St. Joe’s Cafe – 602 Queens St London – 519-432-0660
- London Food Bank – 926 Leathorne St London– 519-659-4045
- Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre – 550 Hamilton Rd London– 519-642-7630
- Family Centre Westminster – 690 Osgoode Dr London – 519- 649-1248
- South London Neighborhood Resource Centre-1119 Jalna Blvd, London 519-686-8600
- Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre– 244 Adelaide Street S London 519-668-2745
- Ark Aid Street Mission– 696 Dundas St, London 519-667-0322
- Salvation Army Centre of Hope– 310 Vesta Rd, London 519-660-5884
Waterloo Region
- Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society Pet Pantry program exists to support pet owners who are in emergency need of pet food and basic supplies due to a personal crisis or financial limitations. Please note that the program is not intended to be a permanent, ongoing solution for feeding pets for the long term. They try to support pet owners with a short term supply of items such as: dog and cat food, small animal food, hay, bedding, cat litter. Drop-in at animal centre 250 Riverbend Dr, Kitchener 1 – 4 pm every Tuesday. *Summer @ back of parking lot. Winter via reception, see signs for pantry.
- Waterloo Region Community Food Bank Partners – partner to provide pet food to the following community food banks in Waterloo Region:
- St John’s Kitchen, 97 Victoria Street North, Kitchener, (519) 745-8928
- The Healing of the Seven Generations, 300 Frederick St, Kitchener, (519) 570-9118
- Wilmot Family Resource Ctr 175 Waterloo St Unit 1, NewHamburg 519 772-2731 x 203
Brant County
- Brant County SPCA 539 Mohawk St, Brantford https://www.brantcountyspca.com/emergency-pet-food-service/
Hamilton Area
- Hamilton/Burlington SPCAThe Hamilton/Burlington SPCA provides short-term help with pet food and basic supplies. Those who are interested can arrange a pickup or delivery through the website by signing up for a date and times slot. The SPCA can be contacted at info@hbspca.com or (905) 574-7722. Pet Food Pantry SPCA https://www.hbspca.com/services/pet-food-pantry/
- Pantry Four Paws https://www.pantryfourpaws.ca/ Rescue, rehabilitate and rehome cats and kittens. Cat food bank for families in need.
Stratford / Perth
- Stratford Perth Humane Society Drop-in centre 125 Griffith Road, Stratford sphspetfoodbank@kwsphumane.ca
- Darla’s Pet Pantry in Stratford Pet owners in Stratford can look to Darla’s Pet Pantry for assistance. The service is active on Facebook and Instagram and can be reached through the social networks or at darlaspetpantry@gmail.com.
Toronto Humane Society Pet Food Bank
The Toronto Humane Society provides temporary feeding assistance for pets at two food bank locations. From Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., or Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., people can head to 11 River St., Toronto for help. On the second Thursday of each month, from noon until 3 p.m., they can also pick up food at the St. James Town Community Corner, at 200 Wellesley St. E.
Oakville and Milton Humane Society Pet Food Bank
The Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS) Pet Food Bank offers pet food and supplies through a number of community programs that are listed on their website with contact information. They include food banks, churches, community centres and libraries located in both cities. The OMHS can be reached at foodbank@omhs.ca or 905-845-1551 ext. 127.
South Simcoe Food Bank
The South Simcoe Pet Food Bank covers Barrie, Innisfil and Bradford. It is made up of a group of volunteers “who will collect donated food and distribute to those in need on an interim basis until they are back on their feet,” according to its Facebook page. The group is very responsive to message on Facebook, and receives emails at sspetfoodbank@gmail.com. It recently appealed to donors for help with stock. https://www.facebook.com/South-Simcoe-Pet-Food-Bank-601447166697551/
Rescue Chow Pet Food Bank in Whitby
At 1375 Hopkins St., in Whitby, the Rescue Chow Pet Food Bank serves food on the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. “Although we can meet you at the pet food bank in an emergency, we ask that you pick up food on Serve Days only, because we aren’t always here on days that are not our regular Serve Day,” it says on its Facebook page.
Humane Society of Durham Region
1505 Wentworth Street, Whitby, ON https://www.hsdr.org/other-services info@hsdr.org (905) 665-7430 ext. 0
Uxbridge Scugog Pet Food Bank
This charity helps families in the North Durham Region to feed their pets. They are active on Facebook, Instagram and can be reached at uxscpetfoodbank@gmail.com.
Peterborough Ontario Pet Food Bank
The Peterborough Ontario Pet Food Bank can be reached on Facebook or at Kathi_williams2001@msn.com. It says it is always in need of litter.
Ottawa Humane Society Emergency Pet Food Bank
Through a partnership with the humane society, members of the Ottawa Food Bank or those who wish to become a member can find help feeding their pet at their local food bank. Locations can be found here.
The Emergency Pet Food Bank is also available for non-members at 245 West Hunt Club Rd. on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pre-registration is required, and can be done on the website or by contacting communityservices@ottawahumane.ca or 613-725-3166 ext. 249.
