We’re honoured to have accepted and shared a massive pet food donation valued at $2.2 million. The monumental gift was made by pet food company ZIWI and was facilitated by Greater Good Charities. Nearly 23,000 bags of cat and dog food were distributed across western Canada in early June.
We’ve already shared most of it! Hand-bombing when necessary, volunteers arrived excited to pick up their bags. Many of these groups are at capacity with little room for additional animals. As a result, these organizations are under financial stress as they work to feed the animals in their care.
“We are in an animal welfare crisis. This incredibly generous donation from ZIWI will go a long way in filling hungry bellies, as well as relieving some financial burden for pet guardians and animal sheltering organizations.” – Leanne Niblock, Executive Director, Alberta SPCA
We’re excited to be a partner with Greater Good Charities GOODS program. As a partner, we will accept donations like this and redistribute them to other groups in the animal welfare community.
ZIWI made the massive donation as part of its commitment to minimizing waste and supporting communities. The company regularly reviews inventory to identify products approaching their recommended use-by dates.
“Rather than let these items go unused, we’re proud to donate them to organizations like the Alberta SPCA where they can make an immediate positive impact for pets in need. We’re grateful for the work the Alberta SPCA does and are happy to contribute in a way that supports both sustainability and animal welfare.” – Jessica Dulin, Director of Marketing Communications, ZIWI
Some of the donated food was transported to locations where it could be used to feed animals displaced by wildfires in Alberta and across the prairies. More than 3,700 bags originally intended for Alberta were redirected to Manitoba to help with pressing needs there.
One of the dozens of organizations to receive food from this donation was Parachutes For Pets, which runs pet food banks in Edmonton and Calgary. Leigh Melligan watched in amazement has dozens of pallets were unloaded at their Edmonton location. When asked about the impact of a donation like this, Melligan was clear.
“It’s massive. These kinds of donations are so huge. This allows us to help more people and help more pets stay together.”
