Food banks for pets. It’s not just people who need food banks in these trying times. Our furry friends always need feeding, partly as a daily necessity but also to keep them from ending up in rescue centres or being abandoned on the side of roads or, as we’ve read recently, in bins. It’s unthinkable isn’t it.
And at the moment particularly, many people are finding it hard to make ends meet, with the much-publicised Cost of Living Crisis driving up our daily bills. So how do we find the money to support and nurture our pets, let alone ourselves?
Thankfully, there are multiple places set up to help us provide for our pets without worrying about the financial cost of this, and these are the pet food banks around the UK.
Most of these banks, or collection points set up in local supermarkets, are always looking for a wide range of pet food and accessories for animals, as well as:
- Food pouches for dogs, cats and small household pets
- Dried biscuits and food
- Cans of pet food
- Accessories for animals like warm beds and blankets, especially over winter months
- Pet cleaning supplies like pet shampoo and hygiene products
PET BANKS UK
All of the following pet food banks are on the lookout for, and can provide, most if not all of the above.
- Local Pets at Home stores. Give yours a call or drop in first to make sure they’re after donations: you can provide them with money and goods that will help.
- The RSPCA have branches in Wimbledon, Wandsworth and Sutton.
- In Scotland, The Pet Food Bank provides food, jackets, collars, leads, bowls, and bedding to owners who can’t afford the things their pet needs. They also have trained and experienced staff on hand in case you might need any advice or other support.
- Social media pages such as Facebook will have many groups set up by people who are gathering help, money and items to help people with pets.
- The RSPCA have collection bins at Tesco and Morrisons where you can drop and collect items.
- Cats Protection also accepts donations via supermarkets.
- 7. Pets of The Homeless are ready to accept donations at any time.
- Blue Cross are working with partner organisations in Sheffield, Grimsby and Manchester.
- The RSPCA have partnered with over 40 food banks across the North of England.
- Ask around and check online to find independent or locally volunteered food banks available in your area. You may find these at your nearest rescue centre or cat and dog home.
START YOUR OWN PET FOOD BANK
As we’ve mentioned, looking around on social media or in your local area is a great place to start, as you’ll find hundreds of like-minded people concerned about pets and their owners and eager to help. Once you’ve made people aware of what you’re doing, you can start collecting items and donations while seeing if any pet owners in the area are in need of help and supplies.
Finally, you can always try speaking to your local councillors to see if they’ll offer information and support for you to start this kind of work in your area.
What to do if I can’t Afford my Pet
We have written a helpful guide of what to do if you simply can’t afford your pet here.
