Paws for thought: Hamilton food bank sees demand for pet food
Local food bank steps up to ensure no pet goes hungry
There have been almost 100 requests for pet food in food parcels at a Hamilton food bank over the last 6 months, with August showing the highest proportion of total requests. But the food bank says its figures may underestimate the level of need.
Debbie Wilson, the Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank manager, said the organisation tracked the requests for pet food between March and August, with August the highest month for requests at 6.14% of all food parcels.
However, the food bank noted that these figures may underestimate the actual level of need as some people don’t make specific requests, feeding pets from their own supplies instead.
“Sometimes people do not ask for pet food but share their own food parcel with their pets, that is, the pets are eating ‘human’ food.”
Debbie Wilson – Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank manager
Wilson said the requests highlight the important role food banks and community donors play in supporting households with pets, particularly when household budgets are stretched.
Demand for parcels fluctuated significantly over the six-month period with 4.71% of food parcel requests in March asking for pet food, with the lowest demand in April, at just 1.46% of total requests.
Wilson said several factors could influence the figures, including availability and how individual staff members across the centres assess needs when a food parcel is requested.
Food banks cannot currently afford to purchase pet food from their operating budgets and rely entirely on community donations.
In the past. supplies have been completely unavailable, meaning some families have not been able to receive pet food, despite needing it. However, Wilson said, despite occasional shortages, every recorded pet food request during the last six-month period was able to be met, thanks to community donations.
For families relying on food assistance, access to pet food provides vital support, helping them continue caring for animals that are important members of their households.
Wilson believes the figures likely capture only a fraction of the true need within the community. While demand for pet food continues to fluctuate, food bank staff say the ongoing generosity of local donors ensures pets are not overlooked when their owners need a helping hand.
Photo supplied by: Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank
To find out more about what the Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank does for the community, please visit their website below:
