Record-breaking number of pet owners need access to medical services
Posted Mar 5, 2025 11:00:20 AM.
Last Updated Mar 5, 2025 03:54:06 PM.
The rising cost of just about everything is putting a strain on people all over Waterloo Region, including to their pets.
According to Victoria Baby, the CEO of the Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth (HSKWSP), 60 per cent of people in Waterloo Region own some kind of animal, and similarly to the rise in demand at local food banks, the demand for access to pet care is higher than ever.
“As they require more support in the ways of social services, their pets are in the same spot,” said Baby.
“We’ve seen a real growth in the number of individuals and pets that are coming in to access our pet pantry, which is basically a food bank for animals. We provide various supplies.”
In the last two months alone, the humane society has treated 120 animals in need, and provided more than $16,000 worth of essential veterinary services and vaccinations.
Last year, HSKWSP helped just over 1,300 pets with supplies to families struggling financially. This year, that number has grown to more than 1,500.
According to Baby, that trend has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic, and has a parallel trajectory to the rise in food bank usage.
“This community has been awesome over the years,” said Baby. “We continue to get their support.”
At the forefront of their efforts to continue to serve the community is their Better Together Campaign, an initiative looking to ensure pet owners have the resources they need to care for their furry, or scaled, loved ones.
To get involved or learn how you can help, visit kwsphumane.ca.
