Some B.C. animal rescues see donations drop, as demands increase

B.C. animal rescue organizations are also feeling the pinch as British Columbians face the rising cost of living, and some non-profits worry they soon may have to scale back support.

While inflation rates have eased across Canada, food prices remain high in a province already struggling with unaffordable housing.

The B.C. SPCA said, as of May 31, its pet food bank program gave out 4,180 more meals compared to the same period last year — but it's been difficult to meet the demand because it has been seeing a decline in donations since the beginning of 2024. 

Other charities helping rescued animals are also reporting a drop in donations, and say they're having to budget carefully as they weather the storm.

"It's been a little trickier to feed all the animals we need to feed," said SPCA outreach specialist Diane Waters.

"The concern is that we may not be able to continue assisting and growing at the level we've been growing," Waters added.

Waters says that housing instability and the cost of living are major factors in the downtick in donations, and she's encouraging people to drop off extra pet food if they can't afford to donate cash anymore.

Langley Animal Protection Society Executive Director Sarah Jones told CBC News in a statement that they too are seeing an increase in demand while donations are down.

"We're seeing the effects of a tough economy and growing societal challenges weighing heavily on pet guardians," Jones said. 

"The need for support is rising, and we're working hard to keep up. We know that pets are happiest — and healthiest — when they can stay with the families who love them." 

Rescue in northern B.C. also struggling

Angelika Langen, co-founder of the Northern Lights Wildlife Society, said over the past couple of months, she's been hearing from donors that are either cancelling or reducing donations because their financial situations have worsened.

The Northern Lights Wildlife Society is unique among rescues in B.C. in caring for orphaned bears, with Northern Lights the only one allowed to rehabilitate and release grizzly bear cubs.

"We have to commit to care for these bears that we already have in care, and they will be with us until next year in the spring, the same with the moose and deer," Langen said. "That's a long-term financial commitment in [the] form of food and also caregivers. So we have to budget carefully." 

The drop in donations comes as the rescue sees a busy start to the year so far, with 21 bear cubs in care already — compared to 24 bear cubs for the entirety of last year. 

Langen worries the rescue will get to a point where they may have to send rescued animals to another shelter.

"I'm dreading it, and I'm hoping I never have to tell somebody looking for help for an animal out there that we don't have the finances to do that," the rescuer said.