A car load of donated pet food, collected by Four Paws Food Bank Foundation, is going to the local food bank and evacuees of the Lytton fire in Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Nikki Lussier
July 06, 2021 - 2:13 PM
A Kamloops organization is collecting pet food and other pet-related needs for people evacuated to by wildfires in the region.
Four Paws Food Bank Foundation is currently supporting Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council in their effort to secure pet supplies for immediate and longer-term needs.
The foundation was launched in 2016 to care for pets. In 2017, it became a crucial source of food and shelter for displaced pets during that active fire season. Since then, the organization has expanded to offer more pet-related services and have built alliances with other helping organizations.
While emergency support services and Thompson-Nicola Regional District manage human needs, the BC SPCA has stated they will manage pet needs. Four Paws Food Bank is focussed on collecting pet food and getting it to those that need it.
“We are positioning ourselves to support an increased need for pet food in the coming weeks, for locals and wildfire evacuees,” food band foundation board chair Nikki Lussier said. “As we do so, we are reaching out to other support agencies to understand where the need is greatest and how we can best align for the greatest service to those in need.”
Lussier says she keeps up-to-date with current needs by following the TNRD Emergency Services website where evacuation alerts and orders are posted. Evacuation orders state where evacuees are being sent, which helps to indicate where there will be evacuated pets needing food.
“It's hard to witness the tragedies that occurred in Lytton,” Lussier said. “The good news is that B.C. has been through enough in recent years to have learned some great lessons and set up better processes. We have a great foundation to work from. We just need to be thoughtful in how we help and make sure it is focussed on the expressed need.”
Lussier asks those who are donating food to seal it up tightly because it will likely be handled and transported a few times before it makes it into a pet dish.
Her crew is accepting food in their original bags. They will need to know the best before date and protein type.
People wishing to donate food can drop it off at Sage Counters, 917 Laval Cres., from Monday to Friday or email fourpawsfoodbank@gmail.com to obtain the closest drop off address.
For those picking up pet food, the location is in the parking lot at 109 Tranquille Rd. and the pick-up time is between 6 and 6:30 p.m.
Lussier is grateful to the many donors, volunteers and partners who are working together to help those in need.
For more information check out the Four Paws Food Bank Foundation Facebook page here.
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