Animal shelters struggle to keep up with demand as food prices skyrocket for pets – Halifax [Video]

Animal shelters across Nova Scotia are struggling to keep pet food pantries stocked, highlighting a 50-per cent increase in demand since last year.

Bide Awhile, a shelter in Dartmouth that runs a pet food pantry to support low-income families and students in taking care of their pets, noticed its pantry began to run low last week. It reached out to the community for help and was quickly inundated with almost 200 Amazon packages.

Liesje Somers-Blonde, the executive director of Bide Awhile Animal Shelter, was overwhelmed.

” So far, we’ve received 197 Amazon packages,” Somers-Blonde says. “Five local pet food stores have contacted us to pick up food to supply our pet food pantry, and the community has provided us with overwhelming support with drop-offs and donations, online and in person.

“And I’d just like to thank the community from the bottom of our hearts here at Bide Awhile for everything …