Pet food bank expands to Strathmore

By Lorenzo Gavilan Vargas Times Reporter

Parachutes for Pets is a registered charity operating in Calgary that provides low-income individuals with essential pet care. Beginning July 1, 2021, Parachutes for Pets will be offering their pet food bank services to Strathmore residents.

Melissa David, founder of Parachutes for Pets, is excited to bring the service to Strathmore.

“I grew up in Strathmore and I love the town and I have always wanted to give back.”

David explained that the pandemic has accelerated people’s financial struggles, and that has an effect on people’s pets.

“Our vulnerable populations like our seniors and our homeless, it’s just really tough for them to stretch their fixed income any further than they already were,” she noted. “So, when we start asking them to separate from their pets because they don’t have the money to keep them or give them dog food or whatnot, now we’re starting to run into mental health issues. For a lot of these people, being in lockdown for so long, their pets were their companions and kind of their only source of support.”

According to David, the food bank for humans was too inconsistent with pet food, which is another reason why she wanted to help out the community.

“We want to take that burden off and help people with some pet food and make sure their furry friends are taken care of.”

Signing up for the service is also easier as a result of the pandemic and its financial impact on people. 

“We understand that anybody could be suffering right now. They either contact us or fill out the form on our website and we ask for one or two sentences. If they told us they’re on disability, or they just had a hard time, or their utility bills were high this month, we just need a sentence as to why they need help,” said David.

To volunteer or donate, or for support, contact Parachutes for Pets online at parachutesforpets.com.