PET FOODBANKS FOR STRUGGLING OWNERS

Animal lovers unite to help the hard-up

- CECILIA ADAMOU

FOODBANKS for pets are opening across the country as owners hit by the cost-of-living crisis struggle to afford their animals.

More than eight in 10 people find it hard to pay for their pets, according to the RSPCA, and in the last two years, the price of pet food has rocketed by as much as 58%.

The Blue Cross has already set up six dedicated pet foodbanks and scores more are run independently.

One, in Waltham Forest, East London, has helped almost 400 animals and their owners in just a year.

It was set up by a group of friends including Shelagh Savage, 70, who told us: "We all run missing pet groups so were aware of the need for people to get help to keep their animals. So many pets were being surrendered because people can't afford them."