Pet food bank opens in Salisbury as animal welfare charity reaches record number of handovers
Dogs Trust say they've reached 50,000 requests from owners asking to take in their dog
Animal welfare charity The Dogs Trust has opened a number of Dog Food Banks, including one in Salisbury, in an effort to keep owners and dogs together.
The charity warns of an 'animal welfare crisis' as it reveals it has received a recorded number of requests to take in dogs this year.
The canine charity announced it had crossed the milestone of 50,000 requests to re-home dogs in 2022 - the largest annual figure in its 131 year history.
There's concern that as the cost of living crisis continues, new homes may need to be found for a further 350,000 dogs.
It's after a YouGov poll revealed a third (33%) of the UK’s dog owners are worried that, as costs continue to rise in 2023, the crisis will impact on how well they’re able to care for their dog next year.
Almost half of the respondents said it had been vet bills (46%), followed by the cost of dog food (18%) and pet insurance (16%) that were their biggest financial concerns around owning a dog.
In an effort to keep owners and dogs together, the charity has opened a number of Dog Food Banks across the UK, in centres at:
- Kennelman’s House Lazonby Penrith CA10 1AX
- Whiston Lane Huyton Liverpool Merseyside L36 6HP
- 45 Amesbury Road Newton Tony Wiltshire SP4 0HW
- Highway Farm Uxbridge London UB9 6JW
- 315 Hamilton Road Glasgow Scotland G71 7SL
- Plumb’s Farm Hamstead Marshall Newbury, Berkshire RG20 0HR
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, says:
“Although it was inevitable that we would reach 50,000 calls from owners no longer able to care for their dogs, it’s still a shock and a stark signifier of the animal welfare crisis the UK now finds itself in.
“Through our December poll, dog owners have told us they’re going to struggle this Christmas, and many more are really worried about what 2023 is going to bring.
“We’re doing as much as we can at Dogs Trust to reach out and help dog owners who have been worst hit by the crisis. We’re expanding our help and support all the time so, if you’re having a hard time looking after your dog, please reach out to us before it’s too late - there are lots of ways that we can help.
“Our utmost priority is to keep as many dogs with their families as we can – and stop people having to make that heart-breaking decision to give up their dog.”
It comes after the Government revealed plans to help households save elsewhere - with a new £18 million campaign designed to give the public advice on how to keep their energy bills low.
Dog Food Bank in Salisbury
The newly set up Dog Food Bank in Salisbury is one of six to open across the UK this week.
Located at the Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Newton Tony, Salisbury, the food bank is open between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
The local centre has invited anyone who is struggling to feed their dog to drop in and collect supplies.
It has also encouraged those able to, to make donations of dog food and treats, which can be made to the centre during opening hours.
In a poster it published online, it reads:
"We’ve opened a temporary dog food bank for anyone struggling to feed their dog(s) in these difficult times.
"We’d be very grateful for donations of unopened, in date dog food and treats, to support our local community and dogs at our centre."