Blue Cross marks feeding three million pets

National pet charity Blue Cross has marked the milestone of having helped feed over three million pets for a day through its pet food banks.

The charity is urging people to make use of the service, which with the support of the Pets at Home Foundation has fed three million dogs, cats and small animals for a day since being set up.

The charity has five pet food banks in Sheffield, Exeter, Newport, Bicester and Manchester.

Donations of pet food are taken at Blue Cross rehoming centres and animal hospitals; as well as in all 450-plus Pets at Home pet care centres across the UK.

Pets at Home will be holding fundraising events throughout August at every pet care centre across the country, where people can buy food parcels which will be sent to nearby food banks.

Chris Burghes, Blue Cross CEO, said: “Our pet food banks provide a vital lifeline for owners who need help, and we’d urge anyone struggling to seek help from us. Pets are part of the family, and for so many they are their only family or companion.

“Their only reason to get up every morning; and we know the sacrifices many owners will make to keep them, including ensuring their pets are fed instead of themselves, like Vincent. We want to help keep pets and people together as much as we can rather than people being forced to make the difficult decision to give up their pet.”

Amy Angus, head of charity and community at the Pets at Home Foundation, added: We’re incredibly proud to know that our efforts in partnership with Blue Cross have made a difference across the country, feeding 3 million pets (for one day). We are so grateful to all the Pets at Home customers who have donated in-store and made this possible.

“This summer our pre-filled food parcels will make it easier for people to donate to their local food banks. With these continued donations, we can continue to help pets and the people who love them.”