Pet owners turn to food banks as they struggle through cost of living crisis

An appeal for pet food donations has been issued as pet owners struggle to feed their animals in the cost of living crisis. The RSPCA’s Food Bank Project in Greater Manchester has issued the appeal as the scheme comes under increasing demand due to current pressures.

The animal welfare charity set-up the scheme in December 2021 in Lancashire as a result of financial pressures during the pandemic. However, the Coronavirus crisis coupled with the current cost of living increase has seen the need for the food bank increase now more than ever.

More than 20 RSPCA centres and branches have now teamed up with their local food bank across the north of England. The scheme aims to reach 110 food banks by the end of next year to provide help to the public and reduce animal abandonment. In the first quarter of 2022, the RSPCA distributed double the pet food from the previous year to help meet demand.

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Inspector for Manchester and food bank project officer, Deborah Beats, said: “We are in desperate need for pet food donations at the minute as the current demand for the food bank scheme is very high.

"Sadly, it seems as though the cost of living increase means that more people are struggling to afford to feed their pets and are relying on the food banks more and more.

“The scheme was set up because we understood that many people were falling on hard times during the pandemic and we wanted to make sure that those who were struggling could still stay with their pets whilst they got back on their feet.”

Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) and Manchester food bank project officer, Helen Chapman, added: “We are now bracing for an influx of abandoned