Edinburgh’s Dog and Cat Home has issued an urgent appeal to the residents of the capital to provide donations of pet food and other items for food banks across the city.
EDCH supplies 84 food banks across east and central Scotland, providing service users not only with pet food but other vital supplies such as bedding, leads, collars, toys and everything that a pet may need in a caring home.
Those behind the drive have said that the cost of living crisis is increasingly impacting pet owners in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.
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EDCH has been helping support various food banks since 2019 after they learned that many users were being forced to share their own sparse food supplies with their pets.
But they say that they are now running ‘desperately low’ and there is a fear that loving owners will be forced to surrender their pets due to economic issues.
“We are running dangerously low,” explained Jamie Simpson, Director of Operations, “We desperately require dry pet food, both for adult cats and dogs, and wet cat food.
“And with increasing numbers attending Food Banks and the huge number of Food Banks we provide for, it’s becoming critical.’
“The Home provides for 84 Food Banks, covering a wide area across East Central Scotland, the Lothians and into the Borders.
“Donation stations in shops, supermarkets and businesses allow the public and pet lovers to provide supplies. The Home has a network of pet food suppliers and outlets to help in the fight against pet poverty.
“Every month the Home is providing meals to more than 3,500 pets through the Food Bank network.
“While the Cost of Living crisis continues to impact people, the pressure to provide for pets is increasing daily.
“We are fortunate in the support we get from individuals and businesses to fulfil the needs of the Food Banks that we serve, but we are dangerously low on supplies right now and we are appealing for more to meet the ever increasing need for support.
“Donors can drop off dry dog and cat food and wet cat food at one of several donation stations across East and Central Scotland, details of which are on the Home’s website, or directly at the Home itself at 26 Seafield Road East.“
Since EDCH began working alongside food banks, the home has delivered more than 60 tonnes of food to the Food Banks – but they say that the need continues to increase daily.
To help the Home with their drive for more supplies, visit their website by clicking here.
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