Nova Scotia·NewSeniors in Nova Scotia are having difficulties affording pet food, according to some local organizations. Some local organizations are stepping in to help seniors access pet food Meig Campbell · CBC News · Posted: Oct 12, 2025 11:19 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoSome seniors in Nova Scotia are having difficulty affording food for their pets. (Getty Images)Local organizations say some seniors in Nova Scotia are having difficulty affording food for their pets.Angela Rafuse started the non-profit organization My Grandfather’s Cat to rehome cats owned by seniors entering long-term care or those facing a terminal illness.But applications began arriving from seniors stating they were giving up their pets because they could no longer afford to feed them. “I was thinking there has to be a way to create a program that’s not a food bank where people line up and seniors have to leave their home,” Rafuse said.A year later, Rafuse’s program — My Grandmother’s Pet Pantry — has helped feed over 650 animals by sending free pet food directly to the homes of seniors.But the inability to afford a pet can often be overlooked when it comes to rising costs, says Rafuse.”A lot of people, including seniors, will feed their pets before themselves,” said Rafuse.It’s a consistent issue being raised by seniors, according to Bill VanGorder, the past chair and senior spokesman for CARP, formerly the Canadian Association of Retired Persons. VanGorder says recent surveys done by CARP indicate seniors are concerned about financial security and what it means for themselves and their pets.Sarah Lyon, the communications officer for the SPCA, calls it “pet inflation.” It has caused a large increase in requests for food from the SPCA’s food pantry in the past year, she said.“We have had over 900 requests just for cat food and that would be to help over 2,400 cats. In Halifax Regional Municipality alone, year to date, we have seen a 56 per cent increase in requests for help with cats.” SPCA’s pantries consist of food and some other pet necessities that are donated by the public. Lyon said the SPCA can’t always fill requests for things like special dietary pet food due to cost.But, she says, the organization tries to provide what it can in order to reduce the number of people surrendering their pets. “It’s really important that we try to keep families together,” said Lyon. “Nobody wants to surrender their animal over pet food costs. And we don’t want that either.”VanGorder says helping seniors afford their pets is essential, particularly as these pets can be beneficial for their mental health. “Those with pets seem to get along better than others because they do have that interaction with their pets,” said VanGorder. Rafuse said her pet pantry program is growing and has become a necessity for many. “For seniors on fixed incomes, this program has been a godsend for them,” said Rafuse. MORE TOP STORIES ABOUT THE AUTHORMeig Campbell is a reporter for CBC Nova Scotia. You can email her with story ideas and feedback at meig.campbell@cbc.ca
Some seniors are struggling to afford pet food. These groups are trying to help
