The cost of living continues to rise in B.C., and the cost to feed pets is another avenue that is being affected.

The BC SPCA Pet Food Bank is seeing a decrease in donations while demands on usage increase.

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Since January, the program has helped more than 17,000 pets across B.C., ensuring that pet owners have not had to surrender their pets due to pet food prices.

Over the past year, the BC SPCA has increased its pet food bank partnerships to more than 168 partners in B.C., expanding the reach of the program for vulnerable communities.

 “These partnerships are crucial to our efforts to reach remote locations or larger numbers of families in areas where we do not have Community Animal Centres,” shared Diane Waters, community services specialist, low-income and food bank programs, BC SPCA.

One of these partnerships with Saint Vincent de Paul allows the BC SPCA Pet Food Bank to reach remote locations and First Nation communities in North Vancouver Island.

“There will be many happy, tail-wagging dogs and cats this month in Tahsis, Zeballos, Kyuquot, and First Nation communities of Ehattesaht and Oclucje,” said Paul Bertrand, Conference VP & Coordinator, North of 50 Food Security Projects, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. “Then there are the smiles of appreciation for this wonderful partnership with the BC SPCA.”

Driving the costs of pet food up are increases in prices of protein, packaging, and transportation. In B.C., the prices are even higher due to logistics and a stronger market for premium products.

“We’re also seeing households adjust—trading down, buying in bulk, or relying more on pet food banks,” shared Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Director Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Dalhousie University, “which underscores the importance of the BC SPCA Pet Food program.”

Another increase in pet food prices in 2026 is likely in line with general food inflation.

However, while pet food prices take longer to go up than groceries do, once they rise, they rarely come back down. This is especially more challenging for rural locations in B.C.

The BC SPCA asks that those who may be able to help other furry friends out, do so by donations of pet needs like pet food for dogs, cats, and small pets. Both dry and wet (they must be unopened and within expiry date). Cat litter. Hay, for small pets. New and gently used beds, leashes, collars, harnesses, carriers, toys, brushes, and coats. They will also take pee pads and nail trimmers, all of which can be dropped off at any SPCA location.

The BC SPCA receives no funding from the government for their Pet Food Bank.