Seventh pet food bank unveiled in Dorset
Some dog owners have been struggling to feed pets during the cost of living crisis
A new pet food bank has opened in Dorset for dog owners and their pups to come and get some much-needed supplies.
Dorset Dogs CIC unveiled their seventh pet food bank in the county on Haivland Road, Boscombe.
Founder of Dorset Dogs, Nicki Crowe told us why she set this up:
“We were hearing that more and more people were giving up their pets because of the cost-of-living crisis. We were so shocked that we started the pet food bank as way of keeping the family together.”
According to the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, 92% of shelters have seen an increase in people wanting to give up their dog since the pandemic.
Dog-owner, Debbie Davies said:
“If it wasn’t for the pet food bank, and I had to get rid of Beau, then I would be an absolute emotional wreck. I suffer from severe depression and my dog is what keeps me going, he’s always there for me”.
For Dorset Dogs CIC, the importance of keeping pets and owners together is a core goal. Helping feed pets in need is vital in preventing owners from reluctantly giving up their beloved pets to rescue centres, many of which are operating at full capacity anyway.
The Boscombe Pet Food Bank was successfully trialled over recent months, feeding more than 1,000 pets in that time.
Curious to understand why demand was high, Nicki contacted food banks in the area: “We heard heart-breaking stories that people were giving away food from their human food box to feed their pets before feeding themselves.”
The pet food bank is a way of making sure people feed their pets and themselves in what is “a really desperate situation.”
She added: “When you have a strict budget every month, you can't buy pet food in bulk and make savings that way, so people are having to go to local supermarkets and they're actually being charged more.”
Jenny Mueller from Boscombe Feed Our Community thanked members of the Dorset Dogs Group for generously donating their pet food for those in need.
She called it a revelation for the community: “Your pet food bank addition to our Community Feed now connects us with people. It's amazing what you do. People pop in for a dog treat now. There is no longer awkwardness or stress about getting their food because they can just divert it and talk about their pets.”
The Dorset Dogs Boscombe Pet Food Bank is located within the Boscombe Feed Our Community project, which is open 10-12pm on weekdays at the centre 118 Haviland Rd, Boscombe.