‘For some it’s feed your kids or your dog’: Britons turn to pet food banks

Cockapoo Grace at the Blue Cross pet food bank in Grimsby. Photograph: John Robertson/The Guardian

Richard Croft had never struggled to feed his three German shepherds before, but when he was forced to stop working after being diagnosed with cancer, their monthly food bill was difficult to keep up with.

“I was spending between £100 and £110 a month on dog food,” he said. “It was difficult. I was always looking for bargains and special offers but it’s still a lot of money.”