BC Evacuation Community Support
An unofficial list of resources available to all evacuees and from the loving communities supporting them.
#OKANAGANSTRONG
Fire Evacuee Community Resources
Categories
If you don’t see what you need in our list please reach out to nicole@animalfoodbank.org
Over the last three years we’ve learned a lot about providing support to evacuees during fires and floods. One of the most consistent things we see is the communities outpouring of support, and a lack of a central spot to house the information and connect help with helpers.
Our Animal Food Bank prides itself in its collaborative and cooperative approach. It is not enough to co-exist with other organizations, we must help eachother. To that end, we work every day to connect supplies with needs and ensure support is flowing. It doesn’t need to come from us, it just needs to get to where it’s needed.
This page is meant to provide an unofficial list of resources available to evacuees and from the communities supporting them, and will be updated regularly.
To find a local ESS Evacuee Reception Centre for your area, please visit your local regional district website:
Central Okanagan: CORD
Southern Okanagan: RDOS
North Okanagan: RDNO
If you know of a resource, Facebook group, or website, or business that you wish to have added, please reach out to nicole@animalfoodbank.org.
Pet Food & Supplies
Pets (companion animals) are not provisioned for for support by the provincial emergency supports during emergencies. The pets, and their humans, rely on the generosity of donations and support from the community to ensure no pet goes without during these stressful times.
How to help:
If you have any of these items to donate, you can drop off at one of these community partners who are donating space and resources to collect and distribute donations for pets of evacuees.
Some of the most common items we get requests for are:
- Dry and wet cat food
- Dry and wet kitten food
- Disposable litter trays (Dollar store)
- Puppy/Kitten milk replacer
- Puppy Pads
- Dry and wet dog food
- Crates (clean)
- Toys/long lasting chews to keep contained animals busy (Kongs to be stuffed, durable safe chew bones, interactive play toys, or any toys really!)
- Cat harnesses/leashes
- Dog beds (clean)
- Can openers
- Small bags cat litter
- Litter scoops
- Small garbage bags
- Cat toys
- Cat beds
- Towels/Small blankets to cover cages/carriers
- Food/water dishes (cat & dog)
- Doggie poop bags
- Paper towels/disinfectant wipes
- Dog collars/leashes
You can also stop in to a local store and purchase items needed.
Gift cards are a wonderful way to support needs because they allow the community to support local stores, while giving all of us flexabilty to be able to purchase items not normally stocked (specialized food for example)
Drop off spots:
*if you have a business and would like to be listed here as a drop off spot, please email us at nicole@animalfoodbank.org
| Store Name | Street Address | City | Drop Off Spot | Phone | Gift Cards |
| Total Pet | 1985 Harvey Ave. | Kelowna | Yes | 250-860-4517 | Call in & In Person |
| Bosley’s Rutland | 191 Hollywood Road S | Kelowna | Yes | 236-420-1781 | In Person |
| Buckerfields | 1889 Springield Road, #103 | Kelowna | Yes | 250-860-2346 | In Person |
| TailBlazers | 1790 K. L. O. Rd | Kelowna | Yes | 250-448-9247 | In Person |
| TailBlazers | 1014 Glenmore Dr #105 | Kelowna | Yes | 778-478-0884 | In Person |
| Ace Courier | 760 Crowley Ave | Kelowna | Yes | N/A | In Person |
| Bosley’s Okanagan Lake | 406 – 525 Hwy 97 | West Kelowna | Yes | 236-766-1855 | In Person |
| Bosley’s West Kelowna | 109 -3610 Carrington Road | West Kelowna | Yes | 250-768-7875 | In Person |
| Bosley’s Peachland | 50 – 5500 Clements Cres | Peachland | Yes | 250-767-0121 | In Person |
| Total Pet Vernon | 3303 32nd Street | Vernon | Yes | 250-542-5323 | In Person |
| Pet Planet | Vernon Square 4400 32 Street E580 | Vernon | Yes | 250-558-5514 | Call in & In Person |
| Total Pet | 402 Industrial Ave E | Penticton | Yes | 250-493-0387 | In Person |
| Total Pet | 480 Tranquill Road | Kamloops | Yes | 250-376-7922 | In Person |
| Total Pet | 1370 Summit Drive | Kamloops | Yes | 250-937-0826 | In Person |
If you’ve been evacuated and have not been able to receive pet food or supplies through the ESS Centre we can help.
For evacuees arriving into Central and Southern ESS centres, please contact Lend A Paw for assistance. We will support them with food and supplies as needed.
For all other evacuees, please fill out this form.
Please email nicole@animafoodbank.org with the name of your organization, they city you are in, and what you are in need of and our team of volunteers will get working on dispatching food and supplies.
Livestock Support
Moving livestock during emergencies is a very challenging and stressful time – not only for the humans, but for the animals as well. It requires the fast coordination of an army of volunteers and the amazing support of our communities.
BC & Alberta:
BC & Alberta Emergency Livestock/Animal/Horse Evacuation Support Group Facebook group which can be found here.
Central and Southern Okanagan Only –
Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT)
Phone: 250-809-7152
There are some great options for supporting livestock in BC and Alberta. Livestock need fencing, feed (hay, chicken feed, pig feed, etc), buckets, fly masks, troughs etc.
You can join the BC & Alberta Emergency Livestock/Animal/Horse Evacuation Support Group and post the help you have available. This is an extremely active group during emergencies and so this is the fastest way to reach everyone.
Central and South Okanagan:
Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT)
Phone: 250-809-7152
You can also purchase gift cards for livestock feed and supplies at the following stores:
Emergency Pet Fostering
Evacuating with a pet is stressful, and then finding a place to stay with your pet is even more stressful! Travel sites like hotels.com allow you to search accommodations that allow pets. Airbnb.ca is another option and some owners are providing discounts to evacuees. ESS centres sometimes can provide recommendations on where you can go with your pet. Emergency fostering is an option too can there are many sites. We always want to see pets able to stay with their humans, but in circumstances where they can’t, there are organizations offering support
Central and South Okanagan:
Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT)
Phone: 250-809-7152
Email: Info@ okanaganhumanesociety.com
Phone: 250-448-8554 x 1
North Okanagan
Email: Info@ okanaganhumanesociety.com
Phone: 250-448-8554 x 1
Central, North and South Okanagan
Petrie’s Treasures Bird Rescue (birds only)
Kelowna Area – Errand Ease Pup Care
If you are in need of someone to look after your dog(s) so you can get groceries, or run errands please reach out to Michelle at:
Fosters, especially for cats, are needed at the Okanagan Humane Society They can be reached through their site.
Or by:
Email: Info@ okanaganhumanesociety.com
Phone: 250-448-8554 x 1
ALERT also utilizes fosters and has an application form on their site here
General Support
The community has rallied together and offers to help, and requests for help, are everywhere. The best place to start for help is your local ESS centre, but there are also a few Facebook groups we have found. Please contact nicole@animalfoodbank.org to add more.
If you can donate or if you need help, please refer to the organizations below.
United Way (providing essentials like food, water, blankets, personal care items and gas cards for evacuees.
Okanagan Chabad House (providing evacuation packages including toothbrushes, toilet paper, dog food, baby wipes, toys for children, pillows, fresh bread), Call 250-575-5384 or email Rabbi@JewishOkanagan.com
BC Wildfire and Flood Support Group BC Wildfire and Flood Support Group ==>> IF YOU NEED HELP – MAKE A POST – take a moment to introduce us to your situation – Most of our #AdminTeam for this group are experienced Disaster Response
Green Bay Bible Camp – have room for 300 evacuees to stay for free.
I’ve Evacuated and Left My Pet Behind
If you’ve had to leave your pet behind please contact the following organizations for help:
Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT)
Phone: 250-809-7152
BCSPCA
Phone: 1-855-622-7722
RV Parking
If you have been evacuated and are looking for a place to park your RV, here’s some groups to check! Please contact nicole@animalfoodbank.org to add more.
Kelowna Toyota has offered RV parking free of charge on their lot.
Recreation for Evacuees
If you have been evacuated and are looking for something to do with your kids, or your pets, or you need to run errands and need someone to watch your pets for you while you do, here are some local resources to try! Please contact nicole@animalfoodbank.org to add more.
YMCA of Southern Interior BC is offering free access to Y-Operated facilities for all fire evacuees.
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AFB wishes to recognize and thank
our generous donors during this fire season
Our Impact
We have provided over 35,000 pounds of food to other organizations in 2023 for pets of evacuees. Co-existing is not enough – we need to co-operate and collaborate.
