Coaldale and Regional PAWS helping feed our pets

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

With the rising cost of living many are struggling these days to put food on the table, and have turned to food banks to help feed their families. Those family members often include our beloved pets.  

Thanks to the Coaldale and Regional Pet and Animal Wellness Society (PAWS), the town’s first food bank for dogs is helping area residents feed all members of their family. 

The Coaldale and Regional PAWS and PAWS Pantry launched in town a year and a half ago, in the summer of 2024, but is still a fairly new resource that many in the community are unaware of.  

“Because we’re a new organization, (that’s) gaining traction, people are wondering what is this about. What is a PAWS Pantry and what do we have,” said Holly Bandelow, social media and fundraising coordinator for the Coaldale and Regional PAWS. “PAWS Pantry is a program run through Coaldale and Regional PAWS – it’s one of our main programs.” 

Residents in town or across the region, who need to access PAWS Pantry, can visit their website at http://www.coaldaleregionalpaws.com

“You fill out a pantry request form and it’s available for anybody in the region of Coaldale and surrounding areas, all the way to the City of Lethbridge,” said Bandelow, noting people must provide their name and have valid identification. “We will provide them with (dog) food – no questions asked.” 

Although their focus is providing dog food to dog owners, they do receive cat food at times and dispense it into the community as requests for it come in, noted Bandelow. “We’re (currently) getting about two to three requests for dog food per month.”  

The society is currently fundraising for a new building and are in talks with the town to secure land for that future building, noted Bandelow, pointing out the society and the pantry were created to help families struggling to feed their dog(s) especially during a difficult economy – that is seeing many pets abandoned or given-up at area shelters that for many, are over capacity. 

“If you’re deciding whether you want to turn on your lights or feed your dog … we’re making it possible for people to keep their pets in their home (so there’s) less surrendering (of animals) and doing things they maybe wouldn’t want to normally do,” she said, pointing to an increase in abandoned animals and more strays on the streets in recent years in town. “So this is to help reduce that. We’ll bring you dog food to help you – even if it’s just one time and you’re generally good financially 99 per cent of the time, but there’s that one per cent chance.” 

It was important for them to remove all barriers and ensure anyone can access PAWS Pantry who needs it, including those who have more than one dog, noted Bandelow, adding they are currently giving out one bag of food per dog.  

Although it’s been around for just over a year, the program’s success so far is due in part thanks to community partners and sponsors like The Pet Corner in Coaldale and community members, who often donate bags of dog food. 

“We do not take open dog food …. so you’ll get sealed dog food,” explained Bandelow, noting another important partnership in the community. “Right now we’re working with the Coaldale Food Bank so that when you pick up your food,  should you be a recipient of the Coaldale Food Bank, you can also get food for your dog as well.” 

Bandelow said many people are struggling to feed their pets today – who are often considered a member of the family 

“We just want to make sure that those that do value their pet as family, and do want the assistance, get it,” she said. “We’re community based. Although this is the Coaldale Regional PAWS and PAWS Pantry, this is not our pantry – this is the community’s pantry.”

Bandelow emphasized the Coaldale and Regional PAWS is a society and not a rescue organization, that it is filling an important need in the region. They work with and are supported by the town’s municipal bylaw enforcement. It was the Town of Coaldale that requested the committee be formed and reached out to its citizens who were interested in joining. The society is run by volunteers and a board of directors. 

“When the committee was called together, the main directive was due to the number of strays in the community (and number of dogs surrendered or abandoned),” explained Bandelow. “We saw a need and so did the Town of Coaldale – we needed to start doing something.”   

Coaldale and Regional PAWS serves several communities across Lethbridge County and other areas across southern Alberta, and strives to continue making positive impact for pet owners. 

“They don’t have to provide us why there here – just come and say I need some help. We don’t judge …and we are happy to help,” said Bandelow, noting the difference they’ve made thus far in the community. “(People have told us) thank you, I did not have to surrender our dog this summer because of you.”  

To donate new, unopened items such as dog food, dog treats and toys, drop them off at the Coaldale Pet (Vet) Clinic, The Pet Corner and the Coaldale Fire Hall.