People needing help feeding their pets can now turn to the Downtown Mission.
The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society's Pet Food Bank will be moving to the Mission's Ouellette Ave. campus, effective Sunday. The Pet Food Bank will become one of the Mission's programs, though the Humane Society will still accept donations.
The move has been made necessary by an increase in demand from pet owners who are struggling financially to feed their dogs and cats, according to Humane Society executive director Melanie Coulter.
“Food Bank service is important for our community, as well as our pet community," says Coulter in a press release. "As the number of requests and pets requiring food security increased, we contacted the Downtown Mission, to take advantage of their expertise to help ensure no pet goes hungry."
Mission executive director Ron Dunn says the relocation of the Pet Food Bank is a matter of convenience.
“We see many families and individuals who also have pets at our Food Bank," Dunn says in a statement. "They can now get what they need at one location. It’s a natural step to providing people and pets who need access to secure food, with full service."
Pet food pick up will be available Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 3pm at the Mission's Food Bank, located at 875 Ouellette Ave. Usage of this resource is subject to the Mission's policies and procedures, with pet food brands and bag sizes varying.
The Humane Society says 75 pets per month are receiving some kind of help through the Pet Food Bank.
