As many families face financial hardship this winter, two friends from Bury have launched a campaign to help people keep up with the costs for their beloved pooches.
Having noticed the increasing number of re-homed pets and animals in Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Edenfield, Lisa Rose and Tracy Hulme are launching a pet food bank to help animal owners.
Tracy, secretary for Noah's Ark Pet Aid, will be starting the scheme on Saturday, November 12, with Lisa, the Chair of Noah's Ark Pet Aid, as the pair set up a stall at the Hawkshaw Methodist church hall Craft Fair.
The duo will then be fundraising and selling Doggy Pup Cakes and various knitted craft items to raise funds.
Tracy said: “People are struggling and going to food banks but there is a bit of a gap for those struggling to feed and care for their pets.
“We know our local food bank, Ramsbottom Pantry, said that they need pet food, so there's obviously a need and we thought we wanted to do something to help the local community.
“We are going to start taking donations of not just pet food but pet supplies and flea and worming treatments (etc)."
Blankets, beds, collars, leads, and pet carriers, are all on the list of potential items to donate.
Tracy said: “We want anything that we can revamp and redistribute to those who need it.
“People’s pets do sadly die and if owners donate those blankets, collars and toys that they are not going to use, we can upcycle and redistribute.
“It's just getting the word out there about what we're trying to do although so far, we've actually been very surprised at how quickly people have been offering to donate things.”
After contacting food banks, schools and cafes, the pair are hoping to set up various donation points as well as taking donations in Hawkshaw on Saturday.
Despite offering aid for pets, Tracy addressed some of the cruel comments that often crop up with a pet owner asks for aid.
She said: “People make these comments, exactly like what people said during the free school meals about not having kids if you can't feed them.
“It’s not about that, a child or a pet is a member of your family. You may have had them for a long time and been able to afford that but things change, especially with the energy crisis.
“Bleakholt seems to have an awful lot of animals being given in and it's sad because a pet can be enormously beneficial to a person's wellbeing.
“Pets provide lots of happiness and with the burden of the cost of living increasing, as well as having to give up their pets, this is going to have a huge impact on the mental health of these people.
“A pet might be an elderly person’s only company or a huge support to someone, at the end of the day a pet is a huge thing.”
Even if only a handful of people are helped by the new initiative, Tracy says it is better than nothing.
She added: “I know it might feel a bit embarrassing at the time, but it's completely confidential. We’re here to help and if anyone needs it or wants to donate you can contact us on our Facebook page or email at noahsarkpetaid@gmail.com."
A JustGiving crowdfunding page has also been set up online which can be found here.
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