Animal society in Chilliwack provides critical supplies for pet owners who need a little help

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CHILLIWACK — Zoey’s Pawsome Pets Society might have a quirky name, but it does wonders for over 150 pets and their caretakers each month by lending a hand to any four-legged friend in need throughout Chilliwack.

The society, which operates as a non-profit pet food bank, does an exceptional job of ensuring no pet in Chilliwack lacks food or other daily essentials. The non-profit was founded by Zoey and functions with a dedicated roster of volunteers like Jackie Smith, Julie Chadwick, Jann Timmers, Anita Lem, Catherine Lillos, Laurene Thomas, Sandy Heimbigner, Tom Duncan, and Lyndsay King.

“We currently provide assistance to approximately 160 pets each month, ensuring that they do not face hunger,” Jackie Smith told Fraser Valley Today via Facebook Messenger this past week. “Our primary focus is on supporting clients from our Facebook group,(https://facebook.com/groups/636708565944699/). Additionally, we prioritize the needs of the Community Angels seniors program and maintain adequate supplies at the Wellness Center.”

With a goal of reducing or eliminating barriers, the society aims to assist anyone in need, whether they are elderly, facing hardships, or members of our unhoused community.

“If you find yourself in a challenging situation as payday approaches, please reach out to us,” Smith says. “Our dedicated team, along with additional volunteers from our group, is ready to help with re-bagging, labeling, and delivering supplies if you are unable to visit our location.”

Every Tuesday, the restocks its inventory of supplies, providing a three-day window for pickups. The concept of a pet food bank was established during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially launched in 2021 by Lorne Seifred, Elaine, and John Sowik. In November 2023, Laurene Thomas took over leadership and subsequently entrusted management to the current team on January 15, 2025. Acknowledging the urgent need, the group quickly organized its team, achieved non-profit status, and developed a strategic plan.

Residents of Chilliwack can request dog and cat food every four weeks. Occasionally, the society has additional supplies such as litter, leashes, collars, and pet beds.

“We welcome donations of both new and opened pet food, which we package to last for a week. In special circumstances, we can provide further assistance,” the society says.

For any inquiries, please contact us at (604) 900-4644 or via email at Zoeyspawsomepets@gmail.com.