In Nova Scotia, many seniors are struggling to buy food for their pets. This issue is becoming more common as living costs rise. Angela Rafuse noticed this when she started her non-profit, My Grandfather’s Cat, to help rehome cats belonging to seniors in long-term care or facing serious health issues. Recently, she began receiving heartbreaking messages from seniors saying they had to give up their pets because they couldn’t afford to feed them.
Rafuse thought there had to be a better solution than traditional food banks, which often require seniors to leave their homes. A year later, her new initiative, My Grandmother’s Pet Pantry, has helped over 650 animals by delivering free pet food directly to seniors’ homes.
The financial squeeze on seniors is a significant but often ignored issue. “Many seniors will prioritize feeding their pets over themselves,” Rafuse notes. Bill VanGorder, a senior spokesperson for CARP (formerly the Canadian Association of Retired Persons), echoes this concern. Recent CARP surveys reveal that many seniors worry about their financial security and the well-being of their pets.
The problem has even been labeled “pet inflation” by Sarah Lyon, a communications officer for the SPCA. She reports a substantial rise in requests for pet food from their pantry. In just one year, they’ve seen over 900 requests for cat food to help over 2,400 cats, with requests increasing by 56% in Halifax alone.
The SPCA relies on public donations to stock its pantries with food and other pet supplies. However, they sometimes can’t provide specialty foods due to cost constraints. “It’s crucial to keep families together,” Lyon stresses, emphasizing no one wants to surrender their pet for lack of food.
VanGorder argues that helping seniors with pet care is vital, as pets contribute positively to their mental health. “Seniors with pets generally feel better. The companionship makes a real difference,” he says.
As Rafuse’s pet pantry continues to grow, it fills an urgent need. “For seniors on fixed incomes, this program has been a lifesaver,” she adds. Keeping pets and their owners together not only helps the animals but also enriches the lives of many seniors.
Maintaining a pet can be challenging when budgets are tight, but programs like these offer hope and support. For more insights on the challenges facing seniors and their pets, check out resources from trusted organizations like the SPCA and CARP.
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