As the cost of groceries, gas, and almost everything else rises, so does pet food costs across British Columbia. Consequently, Langley Animal Protection Society is seeing the impact of those rising costs, as more families are relying on its pet food bank to keep animals fed and in their homes. In 2025, the organization’s donation-driven Patti Dale Food Bank distributed 19,560 pounds of dry pet food and 4,435 cans of wet food, explained executive director Sarah Jones. The efforts supported 2,264 animals and more than
674 families, she said, noting those numbers did not reflect the pet food distributed through partner organizations such as Langley Gateway of Hope, the Aldergrove Food Bank, and Kimz Angels. “We often hear that people forgo their own medical costs or food to ensure their best friend is fed, and we want to see the entire pet-human unit healthy and happy,” Jones said. The demand, she believes, is a reflection of the financial pressures on households, many of which may already be struggling with housing,
groceries, transportation, and veterinary expenses. “Many of the people accessing the food bank are deeply committed pet owners who simply need temporary support to get through a difficult period,” said Jones, describing clients who may be seniors, individuals on fixed incomes, single parents, and families with financial challenges. The pet food bank conditions in Langley mirrors trends across the province, as seen by the BC SPCA. In mid-May, that organization said its pet food bank had already helped 17,000 pets so far this year. According
to the SPCA, more families are using the pet food banks as inflation impacts household budgets, often in rural communities where costs for goods can be higher. LAPS recently issued a public appeal after completely running out of cat food. Fortunately, the community response was immediate, said Jones. “We were overwhelmed by the generosity shown, with thousands of pounds of cat food donated in a very short period of time.” However, shortages remain for kitten food, mother cat wet food, and specialty diets for animals
with medical conditions or allergies. Monetary donations also help purchase urgently needed items and veterinary diets. LAPS is looking to help out people by launching a new Family Pet Program that will include food bank access, spay and neuter vouchers, wellness clinics, and emergency veterinary funding. Jones hopes the programs will help people before they reach a crisis point. “The goal is to strengthen wrap-around supports so families can access the right help at the right time, before situations become crises.” People can find out
more about donating to LAPS at www.lapsbc.ca/donate/ or learn about the items the society needs at www.lapsbc.ca/items-we-need/. LAPS requires that donated food be unopened and within expiry dates so it can safely be distributed. The organization is also recruiting volunteers to grow the food bank intiative, anyone interested can email info@lapsbc.ca. “The pet food bank is about more than food. It is about keeping families together,” said Jones.
Langley animal shelter, LAPS food bank, pet food demand, Sarah Jones, BC animal welfare, inflation pet care