Cost of living prompts nurse to set up pet foodbank

Pet food bank send out food parcels as owners struggle with costs

The increasing cost of pet food has prompted a veterinary nurse to establish a support network to help owners.

Sally Linghorn from Great Ellingham, near Attleborough, Norfolk, set up The Pet Share Society in January after identifying a local need.

She has made almost 90 deliveries to pet owners within five miles of her home.

“I realised the need for help," she said. "Veterinary costs are rising, just as pet food and supplies costs are. We wanted to offer a bit of a lifeline."

The Pet Share Society accepts food, toys, and other supplies for all pets, including dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Ms Linghorn is now training volunteers to carry out deliveries.

"We go as far as Wymondham, Watton and Attleborough, so we do cover quite a lot of towns and villages within our little radius in Breckland," she said.

She also provides items to food banks in Dereham, Hingham and Wymondham.

"They contact us because they don’t necessarily have the supplies of pet food that we do, so they’re often referring people to us," she said.

Ms Linghorn added that pet owners can often find themselves in difficult circumstances, including fleeing domestic violence situations, people unable to work due to debilitating illnesses and those who have been made suddenly redundant.

"We respect you for contacting us and asking for help for the sake of your friends, your pets," she said.

Donations can be arranged by contacting the society's Facebook page.