JASMINE SETHI
Pet Food and Supplies for Low-Income Pet Parents
Progressive Animal Welfare Services (PAWS Canada) provides basic and essential veterinary care that keeps pets healthy and supports low-income or in-crisis families. We don’t directly provide food or other supplies. We have put together this resource to help people looking for assistance for their pets, in terms of accessing food items and other products. Additionally, this resource is also useful for people looking to offer donations for pet food and other supplies.
LOOKING FOR FOOD OR SUPPLIES?
Here are some organizations in Ontario that provide free pet food and other supplies to pet parents in need. Some of them may require proof of your income status, and in some areas, the food banks are restricted to a specific postal code. It’s a good idea to visit your local organization.
Some of the programs operate based on donations only, so they may not have the same things every time you visit. Some organizations will offer food only, while others offer pet supplies.
ORGANIZATIONS TO VISIT FOR FOOD OR SUPPLIES
Toronto Humane Society: Offers temporary assistance, such as litter and pet care supplies. It operates as a pet food bank at 11 River Street and satellite locations. Also, it accepts both unopened and opened food items. Please know that they provide pet food that has been donated by members of the public and by pet food suppliers. Drop-in service is available; no advance notice is required to access the services.
Ontario SPCA: Partners with third-party providers such as community food banks to distribute pet food to low-income or in-crisis populations.
Hamilton/Burlington SPCA Pet Pantry Program: Provides pet food, but please note that they offer an extended delivery time, such as 30-60 days for delivery.
Local Food Banks and Shelters: Canada-wide, including the Salvation Army and local community centers such as the North York Harvest Food Bank.
Pet Resource Bank: Basic pet food and supplies to pet caregivers with low-income or in-crisis populations based in the Ottawa/Eastern Ontario region. To apply, visit their website.
Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth: Drop-in pet pantry on Tuesdays in the Kitchener region and on Fridays in the Stratford region.
Cambridge and District Humane Society: Provides emergency assistance by appointment only: (519)-623-7722.
Guelph Humane Society Pet Food Bank: Offers food directly or via partners like Hope House and local food banks in the community.
Whitby: Rescue Chow Pet Food Bank.
Ottawa Humane Society Emergency Pet Food Bank: Provides emergency assistance at this number: (613)-745-7001.
Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward: Offers discreet support to families in need.
North Durham Region, Uxbridge-Scugog Pet Food Bank: Many regional food banks and shelters, such as the Uxbridge-Scugog Pet Food Bank and Pet Pantry, have programs to support families with pets in need. Website to access services and specific locations: https://www.facebook.com/UxScPetFoodBank/
This food bank works with multiple partners around the North Durham region to operate satellite pet food bank locations, which can also be located on their website.
Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth:
Website: https://kwsphumane.ca/petfoodbanks
Phone: (519)-745-5615
Location: 150 Riverbend Dr., Kitchener, N2B 2E9
Please know that this location is open daily from Monday to Sunday, and has multiple pet food bank satellite locations run by appointment only. The locations can be found on their website.
Cambridge and District Humane Society:
Website:https://cambridgehumanesociety.org/programs-in-thecommunity/emergency-pet-food-bank/
Phone: (519)-623-7722
Location: 1650 Dunbar Rd, Cambridge, N1R 8J5
Please know that this location provides emergency pet food assistance by appointment only.
Durham Region Humane Society:
Website: https://www.hsdr.org/other-services
Phone: (905)-665-7430, Extension – 0
Location: 1505 Wentworth St, Whitby, L1N0H9
Please know that this location provides short-term aid for pet owners in need, and is limited to be used once per month.
Kitchener Waterloo Drop-In:
Kitchener Waterloo Animal Centre
250 Riverbend Dr, Kitchener
Timings: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm every Tuesday
Stratford Perth Drop-In:
Stratford Perth Animal Centre
125 Griffith Rd, Stratford
Timings: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm every Friday
Stratford House of Blessing:
Website to access services and location: https://www.shob.org/food-bank
Phone: (519)-273-3433
Location: 423 Erie St., Stratford, N5A2N3
These services can be accessed by anyone in need in the Stratford area and the surrounding rural areas.
Oakville and Milton Humane Society: Operates a pet food bank at 445 Cornwall Road, offering both cat and dog food and supplies.
Website: https://omhs.ca/pet-food-bank/
Phone: (905)-845-1551
Location: 445 Cornwall Rd. Oakville, L6J 7S8
Please know that this location works with multiple partners around the Oakville and Milton area to operate satellite pet food bank locations, which can be located on their website.
London, No Empty Bowls Pet Food Bank:
Website: https://www.facebook.com/N.E.Bowl/
Schomberg, King Township Food Bank:
Website: https://ktfb.ca/
Phone: (905)-806-1125
Please know that this location provides both human and pet food to the residents of King Township.
South Simcoe County Pet Food Bank: Offers pet food support in the Barrie, Innisfil, and Bradford areas.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/South-Simcoe-Pet-Food-Bank-601447166697551/
Hamilton Region: Pantry Four PAWS:
Website: www.pantryfourpaws.ca
Phone number: (905)-547-5022. Please know that this is a pet food bank operating out of Hamilton with occasional satellite locations.
Peterborough, Ontario Pet Food Bank:
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Peterborough-Ontario-Pet-Food-Bank1857356034574668/
Phone: (705)-772-3573
Location: 438 George Street, Peterborough, K9J 3E3. Please know that this location is open daily, and provides pet food that has been largely donated by the public members.
Oshawa Animal Services Center:
Website: https://www.oshawa.ca/residents/animals.asp
Phone: (905)-436-3311 Extension: 2480
Location: 919 Farewell St. South, Oshawa, L1H 6N8. Please know that this location distributes food to community cat caretakers and other community organizations, such as homeless shelters.
Brampton Animal Services, Ward 1 and 5: Emergency pet food pantry program and support for the ongoing needs of pet caregivers with low-income or in crisis by providing food items and pet supplies for a set period.
Pet owners in need can access the Emergency Pet Food Pantry by calling 905.458.5800 to speak to an Animal Services representative, emailing PetFoodPantry@brampton.ca, or submitting a form online.
Website: Brampton Animal Services
Address: 475 Chrysler Drive, Brampton, ON L6S 6G3
Website: https://letsconnect.brampton.ca/grocery
Phone: (905)-458-5800
Please know that Brampton Animal Services focuses on low-income seniors and persons with disabilities in need of assistance. It’s recommended on their website to call and have a staff member guide clients through their services. To support the Brampton Animal Services Emergency Pet Food Pantry program, please email PetFoodPantry@brampton.ca or call 905.458.5800.
The Daily Bread:
Website: www.dailybread.ca
Phone: 416-203-0050
Location: 191 New Toronto Street, Etobicoke, M8V 2E7
Please know that this location has pet food, but occasionally available. As per their mission statement, they aim to collaborate to eliminate increasing food insecurity and advocate for solutions to end poverty.
Toronto People with Aids Foundation:
Website: www.pwatoronto.org/practical-supports/
Phone: (416)-506-1400
Location: 200 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, M5A2E6
Please know that this organization can provide special needs pet supplies based on availability.
WoodGreen Food Bank and Pet Food Bank:
Website: https://www.woodgreen.org/programs/human-and-pet-food-bank
Phone: 416-645-6000 ext. 2500
Location: 650 Queen St. East, Toronto, M4M 1G5
Please know that this location operates every Thursday by appointment only from 11 am to 2 pm.
Toronto Animal Services:
Website: www.toronto.ca/community-people/animals-pets/covid-19-pet-owners/
Phone: 311
Locations: 146 The East Mall, Etobicoke, M8Z 5V5, 1300 Sheppard Ave W, North York, M3K 2A6, 821 Progress Ave, Scarborough, M1H 2X4 Provides services similar to that of Toronto Humane Society
The Humane Society has introduced a Pet Pantry Program where people with low-income or in-crisis populations can visit during the drop-in hours to access emergency food and basic supplies due to a personal crisis or financial limitation. Many local pet stores partner with shelters and rescue groups, where they accept food and supplies for distribution.
As a demonstration, Brampton Animal Services has partnered with a local PetValu and FreschCo to help make the emergency pet food pantry initiative possible. This initiative aims to support pet caregivers with anywhere from one week to a month of pet supplies at a time, depending on the increasing demand and donations.
You can also try visiting your local pet stores. They might offer support programs in collaboration with other animal welfare organizations, such as the PetSmart Charities of Canada grants.
If you have access to a phone, available data, or a network connection, we encourage you to contact your local organizations to find out the exact times they are open and to learn what kind of food products and pet supplies are available.
WANT TO DONATE? HERE’S WHAT ORGANIZATIONS NEED.
These essential high-demand items are needed for shelters and local animal organizations to support in-crisis and low-income families with pets. By donating, you are helping families keep their animal companions during financial hardship. Please ensure that the items you donate are unopened and unused.
Contact your local pet support organization to understand its donation guidelines. Most accept only unopened food items due to health and safety policies, and supplies that can be sanitized easily or gently cleaned. This helps to keep animals safe and healthy.
PAWS takes the animal outbreak preventative measures extremely seriously, and we aim to increase awareness of our ongoing efforts, such as our recent support with the canine parvovirus.
WHAT ITEMS ARE NEEDED?
High-priority Pet Food:
- Sealed dry and wet dog food
- Sealed dry and wet cat food
- Puppy and kitten food
- Multivitamins for both dogs and cats
- Senior pet food
- Prescription diet pet food
Essential Supplies:
- Pee pads
- Leashes, collars, and harnesses
- Winter gear for dogs and cats, including jackets and booties in all sizes
- Clean food and water bowls
- Easy to clean toys, such as squeaky ones, sturdy rubber toys, or puzzle toys
- Seasonal items: natural, unopened cream to apply on dogs’ paw pads to protect them from ice and salt roads in the winter, and to help protect them in extreme heat in the summer.
- Ear-infection gel or cream, unopened
- Clean pet beds, towels, blankets, and clothes, especially for winter
- Cat litter boxes
Health and Basic Care Items for both Dogs and Cats:
- Pet body wash, shampoo, and conditioner
- Comb, hairbrush, and other grooming tools such as nail trimmers
- Poo bags and poo bag holders
- Flea and tick prevention kits
Pet owners are asked to include details about their pet, such as the type of pet they have, how many pets they have, and their pets’ ages, whether their pets need kibble or canned food, and any additional supplies they may require to help take care of their pets. All of this information is extremely important for the organization to know so they can provide the available food to your dog breed, on the basis of their preference, health, age, and specific allergies. The idea here is to provide food in high quantity so it lasts longer for the pet caregiver to give it to their pets at least three to four times a day. It’s our responsibility to protect our furry companions and provide a decent quality of life so all pets remain happy and healthy.
Reference:
National Pet Food Bank Map: https://humanecanada.ca/en/nationalpetfoodbank
