Meet Parachutes for Pets, a Pet Valu Companions for Change™ supported charity

Alberta-based organization, Parachutes for Pets, began as a passion project for founder Melissa David.  David, a former analyst with the RCMP, saw firsthand how gaps in the justice and welfare systems rarely took pets into account. Understanding the role animals play in a pet parent’s mental health, David decided to launch an initiative that helps people keep their pets even when their financial situation makes that difficult. “There might be a variety of barriers that are keeping pet owners and pets apart,” says David, “and it's usually price-related. We know pet food has gone up, we know that vet care has gone up. We know that sometimes there's a lack of accessible education.”  Parachutes for Pets bridges that gap, offering pet parents in Calgary and the surrounding area access to a pet food bank, assistance with vet care, education and support classes, and a no-charge dignity store if people need an item like a collar, leash, or pet food dishes.  “There's a lot of stigma or shame and people are a little bit nervous to ask for help. Or they think, ‘You know what, I know that I brought this pet into my life, and now I have to ask for help.’” David explains. “Just ask. We all understand. We're all pet lovers. Just reach out. Rely on your community because the human-animal bond is real, and we all want to help.” Parachutes for Pets, which launched in 2019, was able to expand their work into surrounding areas including with Alberta’s Indigenous communities with the help of a sponsorship from the Pet Valu’s Companions for Change program. With the funds received from Companions for Change, the organization purchased a truck that allowed David to increase her capacity in terms of how many pets and pet parents she was able to reach. During the 2023 Alberta wildfires, Parachutes for Pets stepped in to help evacuating families with pet food, vet care, and even shelter for pets fleeing the fires with their families. “The fires always bring up a lot of emotion,” says David, “because you have individuals who have maybe lost everything. They've escaped with the clothes on their back and their pets.It's not always easy for people to evacuate to pet-friendly accommodations so that leaves them in a little bit of a lurch.  “There was a campground out by Strathmore, they had called me and I said, ‘Yeah, I'm on my way out with a truck full of food and supplies.’ I pulled into this really muddy road and there were at least four families and little kids out there and they just started clapping when they saw the truck pulling in,” she recalls. “And then one little boy picked up his dog, and he goes, ‘See Daisy, I told you, you could have supper tonight.’ I just went behind my truck and had a little cry. That's something I will never forget.”    David is proud of what she’s accomplished through Parachutes for Pets and grateful for the support the organization receives from Pet Valu.   “We're really proud to continue to advocate and shine a light on what pets mean to us. They're not just property. They're our families. They shouldn't be left behind in emergencies. They shouldn't be the last thing that's thought of when you're trying to help somebody. So we just want to grow on that, continue the advocacy, the education, and help as much as we can.”