Billingshurst Pet Food Bank: ‘Keeping people and pets together’

Billingshurst and surrounding areas Pet Food Bank launches

With the cost of living crunch a daily worry, some people are facing difficult choices about giving up their family pets. Animal rescues are already full, but under pressure every day to take in more animals when their resources are already stretched to breaking point.

Responding to this crisis, two Billingshurst women have co-founded a local Pet Food Bank with the mission of ‘keeping people and pets together’. They are Andrea Charlwood, well known locally for her work as a cat, wildlife and pet rescuer. The other is Julia Jepps, a successful fundraiser for animal rescues over many years through events and online shows.

How does it work? The Pet Food Bank has already started to gather donations of pet food from local villagers, keen to help. Retailers are also being asked to have donation bins or give end-of-date stock to swell the bank’s stores. The donated food will then be distributed to those most in need. People needing this support might include: • People awaiting benefit payments; • People on low incomes facing unexpected bills such as a vet’s bill; • People on benefits who may be struggling to make

ends meet; • Anyone experiencing financial problems due to health issues; • Recently unemployed people; • Victims of domestic abuse; • Senior citizens on limited fixed incomes. Those needing assistance can selfrefer using the form found via the Facebook page: Billingshurst and Surrounding Area Pet Food Bank. Information is collected about the pets and their needs – this is entirely confidential. If accepted, a package of food will be put together according to the pets’ needs. Each recipient will be asked to collect the food from a central collection point. For anyone unable to walk or drive to the central point, delivery may be possible. Donated food cannot be passed on or sold –unwanted items must be returned.

To donate food for cats, dogs and small pets (not live food for reptiles), request support or volunteer please either message us via our aforementioned Facebook page or email us at billipetfoodbank@ gmail.com. Let’s help people keep their much-loved pets at this financially challenging time. Julia Jepps

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