New Midland initiative aims to feed pets of local families in need

Pet Food Aid in Midland and surrounding areas seeks to address the increasing demands for pet food within the community. Krista Grant, community outreach co-ordinator at the Ontario SPCA Midland and District Animal Centre, described the need while stating, “Especially within Midland, there is such a great need for pet food.” The hope is that Pet Food Aid will ease the burden on many pet owners who commonly find themselves in the unfortunate position of having to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pets.

The Pet Food Aid project is supported by a $500 grant from the Huronia Community Foundation’s A Mother’s Love Helping Hands Fund. The funds helped build three donation bins, constructed by woodworking students at Georgian Bay District Secondary School. These bins will be placed at Midland Pet Valu, Elmvale Pet Valu, and The Pet Shoppe in Penetanguishene.

Pet food collected through this Pet Food Aid effort will be distributed to local food banks. This reduces the need for families to travel to larger cities like Barrie for support.

According to the 2024 Ontario SPCA Report, the Pet Food Distribution Program is expanding rapidly. The program now partners with 54 food banks and has delivered over 367,000 pounds of pet food to northern communities—a 39% increase from 2023. This surge highlights the growing demand for pet support services.

Locally, Krista Grant is collaborating with five organizations: Georgian Bay Food Network, Salvation Army, Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Victoria Harbour), Allendale Food Bank, and Maison Rosewood Shelter.

Discussions with food banks show just how serious the need is. Some report that 75% of their clients are requesting pet food. One agency said that at least 120 families currently depend on them for Pet Food Aid.

Grant pointed out that many people simply don’t think about donating pet food. In fact, she noted, “They usually say, ‘I never thought about donating pet food,’” she explained.

Meanwhile, pet ownership costs continue to rise. According to Rover.com, in 2025, dog owners will spend $575 to $3,345 per year on food, depending on the dog’s size and age. Similarly, for cat owners, the range is $470 to $2,750 annually. Moreover, premium pet food products are contributing to a sharp increase in overall expenses—cat food costs alone have risen by 32% this year.

The Midland and District Animal Centre receives food for its own animals from Royal Canin. However, all food collected through the new Pet Food Aid bins will go directly to local food banks. With that in mind, Grant hopes to collect 20,000 pounds of pet food by year-end. Although the initiative started in March, she remains optimistic because of strong community support.

Grant believes the initiative will have a dual impact. On one hand, it will support pet owners facing crisis. On the other hand, it will raise awareness about the Ontario SPCA’s community programs.

“Whether you’ve fallen on hard times, lost your job, or just need help to make it to your next paycheck, we want to help you keep your pets instead of rehoming them,” she said. To support this, the SPCA continues to collect unopened pet food items as part of its local outreach.