StreetVet has partnered with Webbox in a bid to secure food donations for animals during the coronavirus pandemic.
The animal welfare charity, which offers food and veterinary aid to homeless people and their pets, said that without support from pet food manufacturer Webbox, it would have “struggled to continue” after funding dropped by 50%.
During the crisis, calls to its out of hours hotline doubled as regular outreach programmes, which usually operate alongside soup kitchens, were unable to continue due to social distancing guidelines.
As well as supplying pet food to StreetVet for its outreach programmes, Webbox has also offered a Forever Home package, which donates a six month supply of free pet food to homeless people who have recently moved into accommodation with their pets.
Jade Statt, spokesperson for StreetVet, said: “The pandemic has been really difficult for us as we were hit with the double-whammy of our funding being cut and our expenditure going up.
“Luckily the support we’ve had from brands such as Webbox has meant we’ve been able to go on supporting some of our society’s most vulnerable people and their pets.
She added: “Another concern for us was whether the hotels and other accommodation providers, which were involved in the government’s efforts to get homeless people off the streets at the start of lockdown, would accept pets.
“Fortunately, the majority were happy to, but we still had to organise emergency care for a few animals with kennels. I knew that if it came down to a choice between staying with their pet or having a room, the vast majority would decide to stay. Their bond is that strong.”
Julie Butcher, head of marketing at Webbox, said: “As a longstanding partner of StreetVet, we’re aware of the brilliant work they do for homeless animals across the length and breadth of the country.
“Jade passed on a note of thanks from one man in Cheltenham, who we’d sent a homecare package to after he’d almost completely run out of food. It’s always wonderful to hear stories such as his, as it reminds you what it means to people.”
