CHARITY chiefs at the Blue Cross have teamed up with Worcester Foodbank to provide vital help to pet owners who are struggling to feed their animals as everyday living costs continue to rise.
The pet charity’s shop on Mealcheapen Street in Worcester is seeking donations of dog, cat and kitten food, as well as food for small animals including rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters which will then be collected and distributed to needy families through Worcester Food Bank.
Martin Purser, manager at Blue Cross’s charity shop in Worcester, said: “Here at Blue Cross we’ve heard stories of owners going without food themselves to cover the cost of feeding or caring for their pets and are aware that for some people their pets are their only companions and link to the outside world.
“No pet should have to go hungry, and no one should have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pets. Pets are part of the family and that’s why we’ve teamed up with our local foodbank to help people to keep their family together. Your donations will help families who have nowhere else to turn.”
Ruth Allsopp, operations co-ordinator at Worcester Foodbank, said: “At Worcester Foodbank we provide three-day emergency food and hygiene parcels to those in crisis.
“Clients are referred to us via a network of over 130 organisations, and this partnership ensures that people are being given wrap-around support and advice, as well as immediate relief via our service.
“Providing pet food is a vital and much appreciated part of our service. We see that pets offer companionship at the most lonely and difficult times in people’s lives and ients often ask us for food for their pets, ahead of themselves.
“However we consistently run short of donations of pet food, so the support from The Blue Cross’s has been invaluable and very gratefully received by us, our clients and their pets.”
Donations of pet food can be dropped off at the Blue Cross charity shop. For more information or to make a cash donation online visit bluecross.org.uk
For more information on Worcester Foodbank visit worcester.foodbank.org.uk/
