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RSPCA launches winter food bank appeal
The project began in December 2020, in response to the impact of the pandemic on low-income pet owners.

The charity is asking for donations to keep up with demand. 

The RSPCA has launched a winter appeal for donations of pet food, to keep up with the demand for it's food bank project.

The project, which has seen the RSPCA partner with almost 40 food banks across the North of England, delivers pet food to owners who are financially struggling. 

From January to September 2021, there has been around 113 deliveries to food banks across Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the North East. 

RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Alison Fletcher, who coordinates the project, commented: “We set up this project as we understood what a strain the pandemic was having on people’s finances and we wanted to ensure that loving pet owners who were struggling to make ends meet could still provide for their pets. 

“The response from food banks across the north of the country has been astounding and we have been so grateful for their support and for the support of all those who have donated food so far. 

“Now as we approach winter we are seeing a real demand for pet food with some areas struggling to keep up with this demand. This is why we have now launched a winter appeal and are asking kind animal lovers to donate as much pet food as they can to help owners and their pets in need.

“As an inspector, I was hearing stories about people who would skip meals themselves in order to pay for pet food for their dog or cat and it was heartbreaking to hear.

“We know that our pets are part of the family and so we wanted to support people who are struggling through this project to ensure that those loving owners who have just fallen on hard times can still remain with their pets. 

“Our inspectors can now refer anyone who is struggling to their local food bank but as winter approaches the food banks are likely to be busier than ever and so we’d urge anyone who can to please donate to the project.”

A full list of drop-off points can be found here.

Images (C) RSPCA

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.