The bond between pet and pet owner is strong. So when money is tight, and the cost of food is rising, many pet owners will not feed themselves to feed their pets, if they can.
That’s why a pair of West End pet-loving neighbors recently launched a drop-in ‘pet pantry’ to help those in need feed their furry friends.
“We’re giving away pet food to people who may be experiencing pet food insecurity,” explains Valli Fraser-Celin, who co-founded the West End Pet Pantry with her neighbor Tania Swain last November. The pantry runs alongside the West End Resource Centre’s Good Food Club, providing quality produce at a lower cost.
“We have low barriers; if you come to us and ask, we are there to provide it. Anyone who comes in can go and get a portion for a cat or a dog.”
Many neighborhoods in Winnipeg, Fraser-Celin says, aren’t just food deserts – because they lack easily accessible grocery stores – they’re also pet food deserts, which can cause of additional strains on household finances.
“Many people live on pet food and veterinary care deserts,” he said. “If they’re walking, there’s no transportation, so their options can be overpriced. So people can stop at their own food to feed their pets. We can definitely help to increase or expand as well the food. Pets are so important. The human-animal bond is important. Having access to pet food can really help keep pets with their families, as well.”
Fraser-Celin, an expert on access to veterinary care who did her PhD research at the University of Calgary and recently worked at the Winnipeg Humane Society, hopes the weekly drop-in sessions will not only help those needs pet food, but also helps build community and spread awareness of other issues related to pet health.
“We probably see between 15 to 25 people every week that come in for food, or every two weeks,” he said. “We have other people that we see sometimes. It’s really great, and it’s a great way to build community. We also give people resources that they can access for any type of health care they need. for their pets. We also had some dogs come in with their owners, which was really cute.”
The West End Pet Pantry, which runs Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at the West End Resource Center (823 Ellice Ave.), benefits from donations from Petland, as well as Feed the Furbabies Canada, Orphans of the North, the Winnipeg Humane Society, and other West End residents.
“Yesterday, we had kitty litter that someone at Costco bought for us,” Fraser-Celin said. “We are trying to get donations from pet stores and grocery stores. We are always super-open to donations.”
Image provided A weekly “pet pantry,” running Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. at the West End Resource Center (823 Ellice Ave.), aims to help pet owners provide food security for to their pets.
Those wishing to contribute to the West End Pet Pantry can drop off donations at the West End Resource Center on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 10 am and 6 pm with Adam, the center’s greening supervisor .
Fraser-Celin has developed an online course on organizing community access to pet health care, such as pet pantries, and is currently working with the Ontario government in a similar capacity. She hopes to see other groups across Manitoba establish their own pantries, vaccine clinics, or other support.
“Chances are if people are experiencing food insecurity, they’re probably also experiencing pet food insecurity.”
For more information, visit communitypetcareproject.ca or find West End Pet Pantry on Facebook and Instagram.
Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist
Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the US and the UK A husband and father of two young children , Sheldon enjoys playing the guitar. and rec hockey when he finds time. Email him at [email protected] Call him at 204-697-7112
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