THUNDER BAY - The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society (TBDHS) is getting a donation of pet food that will provide more than 350,000 meals for animals at the local shelter and at pet rescue facilities across the northwest.
The contribution, to be officially presented later this week, is being transported in two tractor-trailers.
It's so large that the shipment can't be stored in its entirety at the society's own building. Half of it will be kept in a 53-foot trailer until it can be distributed to the area's animal and pet rescue network.
The donation is through a program operated by PetSmart, with the cooperation of Canadian Tire on Arthur Street and McKevitt Trucking.
TBDHS staff and volunteers will be joined by PetSmart staff on Friday in unloading 50 pallets of donated dog and cat food.
Society board chair Brenda Everts said there's enough food to give the pets in its care a consistent, nutritious diet for 12 to 18 months.
"Pet food is one of the largest expenses facing our industry, so by sharing this food, we're helping nearby shelter and rescues to free up financial resources so they can help even more pets in need in our region."
Other beneficiaries of the donation will be the Animal Services Department of the City of Thunder Bay, the Northern Spay Neuter Program, Want a Pet in Greenstone, Second Chance Pet Network in Dryden and Northern Critters in Need in Ignace.
1650 pounds of food will also be allocated to the Nipigon Food Bank and the Dryden Food Bank, where clients often request food for their pets.
