While many may think of the OSPCA and Humane Society as a great place to adopt a new furry friend, the local shelters are also making a Pawsitive impact for humans struggling with the costs of pet care.

The Pawsitive Packs Program, which started in December 2023, provides essential pet supplies like food, collars, leashes, bowls, treats and toys to pets in need – with the goal of keeping the animals with their people.

Lori MacLeod, community outreach coordinator at the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society York Region Animal Centre, said there are currently seven OSPCA locations involved in the program, “with many more coming on board.”

Pawsitive Packs are filled solely with donations, and a recent corporate donation from GFL meant the York Region location now has 85 packs to distribute this winter.

“They’re packed according to the weather,” MacLeod explained. “So in the winter, we put in boots and coats. The summer is cooling mats, cooling vests.”

The packs are then distributed through various outreach avenues, such as homeless shelters, warming centres and food banks.

MacLeod pointed out the OSPCA also has supplies on hand to help those who come into one of their locations.

“If somebody just comes into our animal center and says my dog broke his leash, I don’t have any other leash, and he’s a big dog, I need to take him out for exercise, then we’ll hand them those kinds of essential supplies that they need,” she said.

“One other big opportunity is the community veterinary outreach One Health events. They have them four times a year,” MacLeod said. “As the community outreach coordinator, I will go to them and we will give out approximately 30 packs to the clients that come in to receive wellness checks for their animals.”

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Heart-wrenching stories of sacrifice

According to Retail Insider, the cost of pet food rose by 25-30% between 2020 and 2026, leaving many pet parents making difficult choices.

MacLeod said there have been heart-wrenching stories of sacrifices people have made.

“The adults of the family, we found, they will go without food to purchase food for their pet and and their family members of course, but if it comes down to ‘I won’t eat a couple meals this week to buy a dog a bag of dog food,’ they will do that, and people have said that to me,” she explained.

To combat this, in addition to the Pawsitive Packs, the OSPCA locations around Ontario also stock pantries on site for people who may be in need of food or supplies for their pets. Lacking funds to pay for food can lead to some people choosing to surrender their pets, so providing food can be the difference when it comes to keeping a pet with their family.

“Last year across Ontario, we gave out almost 400,000 pounds of food,” MacLeod said. “Which, if you break it down, is almost a million meals for pets.”

There is no proof of need required, so anyone can pop by an OSPCA location and receive help, barrier free.

“One of our biggest things is we want to raise public awareness that we’re here,” MacLeod said. “Pet food support is available in the community. Pet food supplies and resources such as Pawsitive Packs, they are available. People just need to reach out.”

MacLeod also noted that word of mouth helps with sharing the available outreach programs.

Donations of food, treats, toys and other supplies accepted

And if you’re in a position to help, the OSPCA is always happy to take donations of food, treats, toys, and other supplies.

“If you’re not at the point or can’t adopt, there’s lots of other ways you can support us; our community outreach has a lot of services and programs,” MacLeod said. “So, there’s a lot of different areas they can fund which speaks to their heart. We also have a working cats program, and a feral cats program where we build shelters for feral cats for outdoors in the winter.”

They are also always looking for fosters, which can be as short or long of commitment as someone is available.

“If you don’t want long-term, we wouldn’t give you a long-term one,” MacLeod explained. “Kittens, two weeks, three weeks max, they’ll be at the age that they can come back and start eating on their own. Or we have a dog that’s recovering from surgery, just needs some one-on-one care for a week or something.”

For more information on the OSPCA’s outreach programs or to learn more about fostering or adopting, visit https://ontariospca.ca/