MOUNT FOREST – Local pet food bank officials say the demand for affordable pet products has continued to increase alongside the cost of living and they need more donations to accommodate the demand.
Co-owned by sisters Louella and Mary Lovell, Bruce's Pet Food Bank – named after a local animal lover who passed away – was created two years ago in conjunction with the opening of their store, From Mary Lou's Closet, to address the need they saw in the community.
While there was a pet food bank at an animal rescue based in Arthur, it has since closed and even when it was open, the sisters said many people in town couldn't get to Arthur that lived in Mount Forest or the surrounding areas to get the pet food.
"The cost of living is going way up, and the bags of pet food are so highly priced that some people just can't find the money to afford to feed their pets," said Louella. "If you're on a low income, you're trying to make it and your money has to be stretched, sometimes it's impossible to pay that so the need is definitely huge for the pets to be fed."
Sharing their gratefulness for the ongoing donations and support they've received so far, Louella said they need more donations than ever to cater to the need they're experiencing in the community.
"It all depends on the need," said Louella. "If they've just gotten a check, they don't come in 'till maybe a week or two before they get paid. But there's (others) that come quite often."
Outside of their store, Louella said they definitely feel more resources like the pet food bank are necessary in Wellington North and the surrounding areas.
The pet food bank sees between five and 15 people a week from as far away as Dundalk but the numbers can vary based on the time of the month, said Louella.
"There was one homeless young fellow that came in with his dog and said to us once, if it wasn't for your pet food bank, my dog would have starved to death," said Louella. "That touched close to our heart because at least it means we're making a difference."
Louella said the pet food bank is constantly in need of wet cat food and is currently in need of wet cat and dog food and large bags of kibble for both cats and dogs. It is also open to other pet food donations for animals like hamsters, birds and bunnies.
If a resident is interested in using or donating to the pet food bank, they're encouraged to visit the front desk at From Mary Lou's Closet.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
