A PET shop has teamed up with a charity to collect and distribute pet food donations to help owners throughout the cost-of-living crisis.

Pets at Home’s store in Winchester is one of the first stores to feature a community collection point for those who wish to donate pet food to pet owners in need.     

In partnership with national pet charity Blue Cross, Pets at Home is seeking donations of dog, cat, puppy and kitten food, as well as food for small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters.  

Donations will then be collected and distributed by Blue Cross to local food banks.  

READ MORE: Hampshire branch of charity Dogs Trust warns families are in danger of losing their dogs to the financial crisis

The donation points will open at more than 450 Pets at Home stores over the coming months and will continue for as long as they are needed.  

Winchester store manager, Jess Dale, said: “We’re excited to be one of the first stores in the UK to launch the customer donation points. I’m looking forward to raising awareness of the local causes we’ll be supporting, and I know our customers will donate whatever they can.”  

Pets at Home chief executive officer, Lyssa McGowan, said: “As the UK continues to experience a rapid rise in the cost of living, we know that pet owners will do everything they can to ensure their pets don’t miss out, but we also understand that some owners may be facing difficult choices as their finances become stretched.  

SEE ALSO: Second gritter in a week overturns on icy road

“Blue Cross and Pets at Home believe no-one should have to face the difficulty of struggling to feed their beloved pets.This is why we are joining forces to install pet food donation points across all the Pets at Home stores in the coming months, working together to make sure no pet goes hungry and to help keep them at home where they belong, with their families.”  

Blue Cross chief executive, Chris Burghes, said: “Pets are part of the family and we’re really proud to have partnered with Pets at Home on this scheme to have a positive impact on the local community in Winchester.”   

Pets at Home Winchester is based at Unit 2 of Easton Lane and is open 9am-6pm on Monday, 9am-8pm Tuesday to Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sundays.