Third annual tree tag program gives to pets in need

Several Kelowna pet stores have teamed up with the Animal food Bank to help animals and owners in need this holiday season.

Total Pet on Harvey Avenue is one of the stores hosting the third annual Animal Food Bank’s tree tag gift program from now until Christmas.

Residents can go into a store pick out a tree tag with the name of a pet in need on it and buy a gift for that pet.

Each tag includes the pet’s name and age, as well as a requested gift.

Requests include dog bones, or wet food.

The animals and their owners in need have registered with the Animal Food Bank.

The Animal Food Bank is a program in Kelowna that aims to help no or low-income people care for their pets.

"Most of our community stores in the area are our donation drops off. So if people would like to drop off to us just to make their lives easier we just say if you put Animal Food Bank or AFB then they will know it comes to us and we go around and pick up the stuff from the different stores and then we just send it out," said Jan Monsoor, branch manager at AFB.

Monsoor says the goal is to focus specifically on the pets needs.

"We focus on the pet not the human. So everything we do is based on their needs, their weight, their age, any allergies... stuff like that."

Community members can visit animalfoodbank.org for more details on the program.