# Free cat litter for a friend living in Barrie, ON? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 6, 2022, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-cat-litter-for-a-friend-living-in-barrie-on/957291 "2022-01-06T01:54:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-cat-litter-for-a-friend-living-in-barrie-on/957291/1 "2022-01-06T01:54:00Z")
I have a friend who lives in Barrie, Ontario, who’s deeply screwed on the money front for a little while and is running very low on cat litter. My Google Fu is failing me. Can someone help with community resources for cat litter and cat food for that city? (Hell, food banks while you’re at it.) ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-cat-litter-for-a-friend-living-in-barrie-on/957291/2 "2022-01-06T03:03:32Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > Barrie, Ontario I did a little googling and failed to find any resources for free litter. I did find this which gives home made litter tips (including how to make clumping litter): [https://cats.lovetoknow.com/Homemade\_Cat\_Litter](https://cats.lovetoknow.com/Homemade_Cat_Litter) I know most people don’t get newspapers much any more but maybe your friend could ask in her local community FB page/freecycle groups. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-cat-litter-for-a-friend-living-in-barrie-on/957291/3 "2022-01-06T05:16:56Z")
I also suggest newspaper as a stopgap; some public libraries still get papers, including mine–I was there today and they had several piles on the curb for recycling. Here’s the Barrie library website, but I can’t tell from it whether they have newspapers at either of their branches: [https://www.barrielibrary.ca/](https://www.barrielibrary.ca/) And food bank sites: > **[Welcome to the Barrie Food Bank](https://www.barriefoodbank.org/)** > > To provide temporary food relief to individuals and families of our community who are in need, and to serve as a resource to guide them along the road to self sufficiency. > **[Food Banks and Community Food Programs - Barrie & Area - nsmhealthline.ca](https://www.nsmhealthline.ca/listServices.aspx?id=10572®ion=BarrieArea)** > > Local health services, news, careers and events for North Simcoe Muskoka, Ontario including Barrie, Collingwood, Orillia, Midland, Penetanguishene and Muskoka District ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-cat-litter-for-a-friend-living-in-barrie-on/957291/4 "2022-01-06T06:17:33Z")
Sand? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-cat-litter-for-a-friend-living-in-barrie-on/957291/5 "2022-01-07T00:21:42Z")
Cats will use almost anything lose and granular, like dirt or sand. Sand might be best, if you have access to some, as dirt might be tracked through the house more than sand. And dry cat food is cheaper than cans and easier to store. Some cats subsist entirely on dry food (but make sure they have plenty of water nearby). Or can she let the cat outside? Nature can solve the litter problem best of all, if that’s an option. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-cat-litter-for-a-friend-living-in-barrie-on/957291/6 "2022-01-07T03:19:32Z")
That’s “loose”, not “lose”. I know better, but didn’t proofread enough. I’m so ashamed. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-cat-litter-for-a-friend-living-in-barrie-on/957291/7 "2022-01-07T04:25:58Z")
The pet rescue folks here are more than happy to supply food and litter to a needy owner. She would need to contact them though, it’s not usually something they put on their webpage. ---
**Author:** ![Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/77aa72/32.png) [@Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fluffy_PickleSniffer)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-cat-litter-for-a-friend-living-in-barrie-on/957291/8 "2022-01-07T12:48:00Z")
Yes, our shelter here does the same, offers free food and litter for needy pet owners. But they don’t advertise it, you have to ask. So perhaps she has a shelter she can call in the area?