Donations needed for Christmas toy drive to help pets on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

The toys and treats collected will be gift packaged for clients of Charlie's pet food bank.

(Photo: BC SPCA)

The BC SPCA is holding a Christmas toy and treat drive for low-income pet owners in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside this festive season.

New pet toys can be dropped off at the Vancouver SPCA branch until December 22, with the donations going towards Charlie's pet food bank - a community initiative launched by the BC SPCA in 2000 that provides free and low-cost pet services for people who are homeless, living outdoors, low-income and senior pet guardians in downtown Vancouver.

The food bank runs every Thursday from 10am to 12pm at 543 Powell Street, and was named after a starving dog named Charlie that was brought into the charity's care in a critical condition but tragically passed away after three weeks of intensive care.

Charlie's Pet Food Bank \ Photo: BC SPCA

Monetary donations can also be accepted, with set donations for providing food and resources, providing access to spay and neutering services and covering the cost of an emergency vet visit.

Diane Waters, outreach specialist for the BC SPCA said: "The people we support love and care for their pets and want to make the holidays special for them, but because they are living with very little disposable income, they need a little help to do that.

"We really look forward to making the holiday season a little brighter for our clients and their pets."

The toys and treats that are donated will be gift packaged and distributed to clients and their pets on December 23 at Charlie’s Food Bank on Powell Street

Donations for the drive should be marked as "Charlie's" when dropped off at the Vancouver BC SPCA branch at 1205 East 7th Avenue.