London Pet Food Bank desperate for new home
A local organization that provides pet food to those in need is facing a crisis.
The London Ontario Pet Food Bank is about to lose its base and the east London home base of its founder, Roxanne Toussaint.
The long-time activist for people in need turned her attention to pets when she created the pet food bank nearly three years ago.
“We’re here to help disabled or low income and elderly people with pet food and pet supplies during hard times,” said Toussaint in an interview with CTV News London. “There are people that come here that their pet hadn’t had any food in two days.”
With the donations from local retailers and members of a 3,000 strong social media group, Toussaint said the pet food bank has provided a two-week supply of food to hundreds.
“On a slow day, we might have three to five people. On a busy day, it is a steady stream, one after the other. So, maybe 20 to 25 people,” she added.
However, due to a series of unfortunate events, the future of the pet food bank is uncertain.
Judy Templemen and Roxanne Toussaint of the London Ontario Pet Food Bank as seen on March 27, 2024. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
Roxanne said an agreement to move to a larger facility was abruptly canceled by the landlord.
“Now that leaves us in a total lurch because I spent the last two months thinking we had a place,” she said.
With no option to remain at the current facility, pet food bank supporter Judy Templeman is hopeful a giving Londoner will offer a small space for food storage and/or a place for to Toussaint to reside.
“If it is in a warehouse or something like that, it’s more space for her,” Templemen argued. “More areas to put more food, more help. It’s better that way.”
If that happens, the work of the volunteer group will continue to combat animal hunger.
Another group, offering temporary relief to pet owners in need is the No Empty Bowls Pet Food Bank. Its management was recently assumed by the London Humane Society.
If you wish to help, you can find the London Ontario Pet Food Bank on social media.
Toussaint said the food bank is looking for more food donations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The world is too messy for bureaucratic hurdles': Canada still bars Afghanistan aid
Ottawa has plans to finally stop blocking Canadian development aid to Afghanistan this year.
Student anti-war protesters dig in as faculties condemn university leadership over calling police
Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war at at universities across U.S., some of whom have clashed with police in riot gear, dug in Saturday and vowed to keep their demonstrations going, while several school faculties condemned university presidents who have called in law enforcement to remove protesters.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'oesn't get' the global phenomenom.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.