The current economic crisis leaves many people facing the terrible choice of feeding themselves or their beloved pets. Community run food banks can provide some support, but they do not normally cater for animals. This has led to an increase in heartbroken people feeling they must sign their pets over to the RSPCA. Yet it is in the animal's best interest to remain in the home where it is loved.

The RSPCA set up a pilot pet food bank project in Lancashire in 2020, in response to Covid-19 - sourcing pet food for communities turning to food banks.

The project has since expanded to over 60 food banks across the north of England. This need is set to increase with the looming cost of living crisis across the country. Were asking for help to keep families with pets together, and healthy, this Christmas.

Food bank organisations prefer smaller bags of pet food for easier storage and distribution.So we are referring to them as bundles. Each bundle provides approximately 440 daily dog meals and 210 daily cat meals.

The average cost of one food bundle is £344. We need 161 bundles.

If you can pay for one or more bundles, or contribute towards a bundle, it will help to keep beloved pets safely with their owners through this difficult time, and prevent many being abandoned.

Should we receive surplus funds they would pay for the wider costs of the project or for an expansion of the project into other areas.