A Valentine’s Day pet food drive had residents dropping off donations by the bagful to help rescues in Niagara-on-the-Lake, plus the local food bank, which stocks pet food.
Organized by Community Initiative for Animal Rescue, a fundraising group founded by Tanya Rice, the drive on Feb. 14 saw a steady stream of supporters at her home on Line 2 Road throughout the morning and early afternoon.
Rice founded the group of animal advocates to raise funds for animal welfare in Niagara, though it doesn’t handle rescues, adoptions or fostering.
She said it’s more urgent than ever to protect vulnerable animals — with the town’s rise in animal abandonment and surrenders coupled with dropping temperatures.
Cindy Grant, food bank manager at Newark Neighbours, said every bit helps.
“All donations mean the world to us,” she said. “Having a cat myself, I know how fast cat food goes.”
Newark Neighbours has a small pet pantry, only stocked when people donate — Grant said they plan to continue with this system, since most of the food bank’s clients don’t have pets.
“But the few that do are very grateful for it,” Grant said, adding she’s excited to restock the shelves with some much-needed canned pet food.
Donors brought in kibble, cat litter and several dog coats for Angel’s Rest, along with plenty of other items, she said.
The drive ended up collecting five pounds of cat treats, two pounds of dog treats, 432 pounds of litter (400 pounds donated by Pet Valu) and 240 pounds of pet food (102 pounds from Pet Valu).
Attendees were also able to enjoy some Valentine’s Day chocolates and hot cocoa while there, provided by Rice and her group.
The drive wrapped up in the afternoon, but fundraising continued at Husky Travel Centre, 615 York Rd., NOTL, where the volunteer group held a Valentines Day raffle for a $150 Valentine’s Day basket. The raffle had been open since Feb. 1.
All the money raised from the raffle will be used to purchase Pet Valu gift cards for Newark Neighbours and surrounding rescues.
“Say we don’t have kitten food or they need dietary food — we can give them a gift card,” Rice said, adding how this way she can ensure each rescue gets exactly what they need.
Wanda Woodland of Niagara Falls won, while Amanda Stephenson of St. Catharines took home a second place prize of a Kauzlaric Farm jam and chocolate basket.
Rice was happy with the turnout of her Valentine’s Day initiatives.
On top of items donated at the drive, $180 was raised from cash donations and the raffle raised $480.
Another adventure for a good cause is on the horizon for Rice and her group — a spring fundraiser, set for April 12. You can fetch more details soon.
