Food bank for animals helps close a gap in pet poverty

Wednesday, 1 May 2019

A former homeless man has launched a food bank for animals after noticing struggling owners often cannot afford to feed their pets.

Dave Caplin, from Auckland's West Harbour, started Pet Bank two weeks ago and has already given out around 40 food parcels.

Caplin had the idea to open Pet Bank in 2009, but wasn't in the position to launch it at the time because he was living on the streets.

Dave Caplin took his experience working at a food bank and his love of animals and created Pet Bank.

After getting back on his feet and managing to secure a home, Caplin began working at Auckland City Mission, providing emergency relief to people struggling to get by without help.

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People would often ask for pet food, but at the time, the organisation didn't stock it unless it was donated by chance.

Pet Bank already has regular pet food donations from businesses and people wanting to help.

'It's not only them [the families] who take the brunt of the problem, it's the pets as well.

'It's all the same stories, they can't afford to feed their pets. It's because something has come up, high rent, high fuel costs and the costs of living going up.'

At the heart of the budding charity is Caplin's love of animals: 'I absolutely love animals. Always have, always will. I don't class them as pets, they're family members.'

A friend who had experience in charity work gave Caplin some advice and a 'kick in the butt' donation to help him get started.

Now, several companies, including Pet Stock Constellation Drive and rabbit rescue group Westley's World have since offered their help, with some offering to make regular donations.

A person in Australia has also offered to purchase pet supplies online to be delivered to Caplin's door, and a pallet of dog rolls was also waiting to be delivered, once a fridge had been sourced.

Caplin currently gives away food parcels for cats, dogs, mice, rats, birds and hedgehogs, and he hoped to supply food for fish and reptiles in future.

'We've got non-stop donations coming in for cat and dog biscuits.'

A basic criteria has been put in place to ensure parcels were only going to those who need them. This includes recipients needing to display their community services card, photo identification and a photo of them and their pet.

Anyone who wished to donate pet supplies or receive help can contact Caplin via his Facebook page.

SPCA communications manager Jessie Gilchrist said it also provided pet food to those in need from its community pet food pantry, which collected donations in supermarkets.

It said periods of hardship were usually short-term and removing an animal from a family struggling to make ends meet could cause stress and impact the animal's wellbeing.

'If their owners just need a helping hand when they're having a tough week then that is what we'll do. This food helps tide them over until they can get back on their feet.'