Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home will launch its first dedicated pet food bank in the Scottish capital tomorrow (16 October), to offer support to pet owners “living in poverty”.
The food bank for cats and dogs will offer wet and dry food, jackets, collars, leads, bowls and bedding as well as advice from the home’s staff members.
The animal rescue service said recent official figures revealed that one million people in Scotland are living in poverty, and added it decided to “take action” to help pet owners.
Last year, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home cared for 2,367 dogs and 771 cats. It said many came from “loving homes and families” but social problems such as financial issues, illness, homelessness and domestic abuse meant people would not be able to look after their pets.
Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, deputy CEO and director of operations, at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said: “Our team regularly receive heart-breaking enquiries from members of the public struggling to choose between feeding themselves or their pets.
“The Home takes in hundreds of dogs and cats in need of a second chance however there are times where some of these animals are coming from loving families who can no longer cope with their care.”
She added: “We hope by establishing our own dedicated pet food bank that we can keep some of those much-loved dogs and cats with their loved ones while continuing to support those in need.”
