Hamilton-Burlington SPCA just got a donation of $1.5 million in pet food. But has no place to keep it

Have you got a lead on 10,000 square feet of available warehouse space?

If so, the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA) wants to hear from you. The animal-welfare charity says it's looking to store $1.5 million worth of pet food received as a donation from a group of its partners. 

"We couldn't have picked a better time to receive [that]," John Gerard, the organization's CEO, told CBC Hamilton, noting the donation amounts to 1.1 million meals at a time when the cost of pet food is rising.

"No person should choose between feeding themselves or their animals," he said. 

Food and pet supplies donated to the HBSPCA go into the organization's pet pantry program, which distributes them for free to people who need pet food or supplies either directly or through partners such as food banks, shelters and rescues in Hamilton, Burlington, and beyond.

The program provided over 77,000 meals this year already, Gerard said, adding his organization shipped food as far away as northern Ontario.

The need is particularly high right now, he said, adding that since the pandemic bump in pet adoption there has been a surge in people surrendering their pets due to factors such as changing employment conditions and cost.

The general cost of living has risen, with Statistics Canada reporting that from June 2021 to June 2024, prices for food purchased from stores increased 21.9 per cent. 

"The amount of animals in need of adoption has never been higher in our history. We cannot find enough folks to adopt fast enough," Gerard said. "I encourage people to adopt before they buy."

In July, Rudi Wallace, the incoming chief executive officer of the Hamilton Community Foundation, which supports the charitable sector, told CBC Hamilton it's been a tough time for charities across the board.

"Donations are down," Wallace said, and "people are more financially strapped," leading to greater need.

During difficult times, having pets helps a lot of people with their mental health, Gerard said. "From that perspective alone, feeding and making sure people are happy and their animals are healthy and happy is the critical part."

In addition to square-footage, the HBSPCA's criteria for a space to store the donated food include 24-hour access, and a loading dock that can accommodate 16-metre-long transport trailers.

Gerard said there are over 20 truck-fulls of product to store, and adds that there's a possibility the organization might be able to receive another $1 million of donated supplies, if they can find somewhere to put it.