Making Sure Pet Food Reaches the Families Who Need It Most

Hamilton, ON - The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA's Pet Pantry has provided over 6.5 million pet meals to animals in need - and the families who depend on it deserve a program built to reach as many of them as possible. That is exactly what the HBSPCA is building.

Introducing Pet Pantry Community Days

Food banks around the world have long operated on a community-based distribution model - a proven approach that allows organizations to serve more families, more equitably, and more efficiently. Rather than delivering individually to homes, food is distributed through scheduled community events at accessible locations, with households registering in advance for a time and place that works for them. It is a model built for scale, built for fairness, and built to last. That is the model the HBSPCA is adopting.

As of August 1, 2026 Pet Pantry will move to a community distribution model. Rather than routing individual deliveries or managing pickups at a single location, the HBSPCA is bringing food directly into neighbourhoods through scheduled Pet Pantry Community Days - events held at accessible community locations where registered households can collect food in person on their chosen date.

Registration will be required to attend. It is how we ensure that the food we have reaches the families who need it most, equitably and without the months-long wait that the current system creates. By knowing who is coming and how many pets they have, the HBSPCA team can portion and prepare in advance, making every event as effective as possible.

“The Pet Pantry exists because this community believes no pet should go hungry,” said John Gerrard, President & CEO, HBSPCA. “This new model is about honouring that belief – ensuring every dollar donated, every bag of food given, reaches the families and animals who need it most. We are not just maintaining this program. We are strengthening it."

What This Means for Families

Pet food is now distributed through designated Pet Pantry Community Days at accessible locations across Hamilton and Burlington - bringing food directly into neighbourhoods and helping us reach more families than ever before.

Existing orders are being fulfilled - families with a pending order have already been contacted with next steps.

The community day distribution model begins with the first official day on August 1, 2026:

• Registration is required to receive food at a Community Day. This ensures fair, organized distribution and allows the team to prepare the right amount of food for everyone attending.
• Food is distributed the same day as the event - no more weeks-long waits.
• Visit hbspca.com/community-programs/pet-pantry to view upcoming Community Day dates and locations in your area and register for a time that works for you

If You Need Food Before a Community Day

The HBSPCA works alongside a network of more than 20 community food bank partners - including Hamilton Food Share, Feed Halton, Good Shepherd, and St. Matthew's House - who independently distribute pet food to families in need. We want to be transparent: like us, many of these organizations are also feeling the weight of growing demand with limited resources. They are doing everything they can, and we are grateful for every one of them. If you require food urgently, we encourage you to reach out to these organizations, understanding that availability may vary.

How to Help

The Pet Pantry runs entirely on the generosity of this community - and right now, that generosity is needed more than ever. Financial donations of any size go directly toward keeping this program running and can be made by selecting the designation to Pet Pantry.

‍

If you can donate pet food or supplies, drop them off at 245 Dartnall Road, Hamilton, ON, or shop directly from our Wishlist!

‍

We are also actively seeking corporate partners and sponsors to help sustain the Pet Pantry as it enters this new chapter. Whether you are a pet food company, a local business looking to give back, or an organization that shares our values, there are meaningful ways to get involved - from sponsoring a Community Day to donating product or funds at scale.

‍If your organization is interested in partnering with us, please reach out at petthriftlead@hbspca.com.

Together, this community has already provided over 6.5 million pet meals to animals in need. The Pet Pantry exists because of this community - and with your continued generosity, it always will.