Residents are not the only ones who may be in need this holiday season.
Their four legged friends, although often overlooked, may also be feeling the pinch around Christmas.
With that idea in mind, Wellington Veterinary Services has donated hundreds of dollars worth of cat and dog food to the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
“Our thought was pets could get something good to eat over the winter,” said registered veterinary technician Meghan Kernohan.
She explained purchasing pet food can become expensive for some people, particularly during tough economic times when they are already struggling with other expenses.
“This just gives them a leg up,” said Kernohan.
On Dec. 21 Wellington Veterinary Services donated over $740, enough to purchase 320 pounds worth of cat and dog food to the food bank.
Some of the Wellington Veterinary Services donation came from a September fundraiser, but the majority was raised through the clinic’s Buck a Bag Christmas Pet Food Drive.
For $1 clients were able to purchase small pet food bag decals with their pets’ names on them, which were then placed on a wall at the clinic. The business, owned by Yvette Waterman-Scott, matched every dollar raised.
“It’s been a great turnout … We have multiple families who have donated several times,” Kernohan said.
Waterman-Scott explained staff at the clinic have donated regular items to the food bank for some time now. The business was informed last year that the food bank is in need of pet food, so staff made individual donations.
Kernohan said this is the first year the clinic has run a community-oriented campaign.
“They’ve been very supportive,” she said of local clients who have had appointments over the last few months.
Waterman-Scott said she was also very happy with the outcome.
“The food bank’s always happy to get pet food,” she said.
Food bank manager Fred Aleksandrowicz agreed and said the donation will “go a long way” towards helping food bank clients save money that would otherwise be spent on pet food.
More importantly, it enables people to keep their pets, which can help them deal with anxiety or depression.
“It’s amazing what pets have done just to help some of our clients get through the day,” Aleksandrowicz said.
He added food bank clients are usually overjoyed to receive pet food.
