The Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OHMS) is one of eight Canadian shelters and rescue organizations receiving a grant to help them ensure that pet owners don’t have to choose between feeding themselves or keeping their pets.

PEDIGREE Foundation is committing $100,000 through its Canadian Grant program to help end pet homelessness.

The grants will help the OMHS and other shelters develop programs that show a significant increase in dog adoptions such as matching and behavior programs, transport programs, and support in remote communities.

“No one in our community should have to give up their beloved pet because they can’t afford food,” said Rick Perciante, executive director at Oakville & Milton Humane Society.

“When the pandemic hit, members of the community often found they had to choose between feeding themselves or their animal.”

In an effort to help pets – mainly dogs and cats – stay with their families, the local shelter created the OMHS Pet Food Bank.

“Through our community agency partners, OMHS provides a “one-stop shop” for both human and pet food clients in human food programs,” said Perciante.

“The funding will enable us to expand our food bank so even more dogs receive nutritious and reliable meals, which will also help reduce the number of families needing to surrender their dog.”

The PEDIGREE Foundation said the need to support shelters and rescues was needed now more than ever.

“Length of stay is increasing for dogs at shelters, and our expansion of programs for the first time outside the U.S. to Canada is a critical first step in addressing the growing shelter crisis across North America,” said Debra Fair, Executive Director of the PEDIGREE Foundation.

“We are proud to be able to provide support for Canadian shelters who are working tirelessly to help find every dog the loving home they deserve, in the face of increasingly difficult conditions.”

Others Canadian shelters who will receive the 2022-2023 grand funding are: