The Animal Food Bank Foundation is frantically trying to send food supplies and other necessities to pet owners who have been evacuated due to flooding in B.C.
Founder Nicole Wilks says she isn’t sure how she’ll provide for animals in need after the closure of many B.C. highways, but her motto is no pet gets left behind, and she plans to stay true to her word.
“We’re trying to move food from Vancouver to Kelowna and Kamloops to get it to the evacuees in shelters, but we can’t. The only other option is to get it on a plane which we can’t afford, so we’re looking at seeing if we can send food from Alberta,” said Wilks.
The ATB is the official supplier for ALERT, and is supplying them with food, litter, toys and supplies for flood evacuees. But Wilks says they still need help.
“We have about 50 dogs and 30 cats so far that were needing us to provide food for them, and there's going to be an intake in Penticton for Princeton animals, and Kelowna is expecting more evacuees from Merritt too. We’d just appreciate any and all help possible, said Wilks.
You can donate funds to the AFB, or head to their website to see where to make a drop-off donation of food or other supplies.
Wilks said the situation is more dire now than it was when wildfires ravaged the province this past summer.
“It’s even worse than the wildfire season we just had because now the supply chain is cut off. We’re calling all over to see if we can buy food because we’re desperate to get pet food to the evacuees, so we’re dealing with pet food manufacturers that we have relationships with, explained Wilks.
Wilks hopes the community will step up to help by helping cover the costs of food, supplies and transportation. She said if she can’t get the food delivered, she’ll pack up her car and drive from Medicine Hat to B.C. herself and get supplies to pets and the owners any way she can.
