Creating a lifeline for pets in need: Meet Alison, the founder of Your Pet Food Bank providing over 100,000 meals for pets.

“I just thought how sad I’d be if I could no longer feed my cat and had to consider rehoming him,” she said.

“I’d heard people were in that position and started to look at what help was available.

“There didn’t seem to be that much support so I just popped a message out on my Facebook asking friends if they thought a pet foodbank was a good idea.

“They told me to go for it and the next day, I set up a page and started spreading the word and it just grew pretty quickly from my garage.”

Alison said the warmth and friendship animals provide was a “magical feeling”, which motivated her to press on and help others.

“I suffer quite badly with depression, especially in winter and my cat is like an emotional support cat,” shen said.  

“He just provides comfort and a reason to get up.  

“And I have heard of people with the same issues.  

“Their pets are often the only reason that they get up and see people like when they take their dogs for a walk.

“I know for many people, including myself, that pets provide such a huge source of companionship and support and are the only thing that stop them being isolated.

“The reaction I had was incredible and lots of people came forward wanting to donate, and then we started getting requests for help.”

Alison said she worked with partners in her quest to keep pets in loved homes.  

“We started doing about 2,000 meals a month and this year, not including the drop-ins, we’ve offered over 100,000 meals to pets in need,” she added.

“It’s largely thanks to donations from really kind people, rescues and small businesses that help me.  

“I also deliver to foodbanks, community centres, homeless shelters and have private referrals from social workers to ensure they have enough food for those who are struggling in need.

“Not receiving any grants or loans makes things difficult because it’s all self-funded and run from my garage.  

“It’s reached a point where I’m struggling from an operational point of view.  

“I really need help from the public and any donations would mean the world.”

You can support Alison’s work at https://tinyurl.com/Your-Pet-Food-Bank.