A Droitwich food bank has teamed up with an animal charity to help pet owners struggling to afford to feed their animals.

Blue Cross will be helping to provide pet food for families hit hardest by the cost of living crisis.

The pet charity’s shop in St Andrew’s Street in Droitwich is seeking donations of dog, cat and kitten food, as well as food for small animals including rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters, which will then be collected and distributed to needy families through Moving Forward Community Fridge.

Nicky Carr, manager at the charity shop, said: “Here at Blue Cross we’ve heard stories of owners going without food themselves to cover the cost of feeding or caring for their pets and are aware that for some people their pets are their only companions and link to the outside world.

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“No pet should have to go hungry, and no one should have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pets.

“Pets are part of the family and that’s why we’ve teamed up with our local food bank to help people to keep their family together. Your donations will help families who have nowhere else to turn.”

Nikki Beeston, project coordinator at Moving Forward Community Fridge, said: “Moving Forward Community Fridge supports approximately 100 people each week.

More families are using Droitwich community fridge

“Previously we have received small donations of pet food from local supermarkets, we often have families asking if we have pet food available. 

“Over the past six months we have seen an increase in families using the community fridge, and we expect this to continue to rise due to the current cost of living crisis.

“We welcome any donations, and we are looking forward to our new partnership with Blue Cross Droitwich.”

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Donations of pet food can be dropped off at the Blue Cross charity shop. For more information or to make a cash donation online visit bluecross.org.uk

This year marks the 125th anniversary of Blue Cross, originally ‘Our Dumb Friends League.’

The charity was formed to help vulnerable pets and their owners and continues this work today across rehoming, clinical, animal behaviour, pet bereavement support and educational work.