Receiving or Donating Free Pet Food and Supplies
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, KitchenerTimings: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm every Tuesday Stratford Perth Drop-In: Stratford Perth Animal Centre 125 Griffith Rd, StratfordTimings: 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 ServicesAddress: 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