Pet food bank expands after demand increases tenfold

A Helping Paw relies on donations to supply up to 200 pet owners a month

A food bank for pets is opening a second base because it cannot keep up with demand, its founder has said.

A Helping Paw, based in Ashington, Northumberland, is providing food parcels for about 200 pet owners each month.

Many are from North Tyneside, so the charity is opening a second storage and collection point in Whitley Bay.

Tyesha Muncaster, 25, said "it just feels like we can never stop".

Tyesha Muncaster said demand for the services of A Helping Paw had increased tenfold in just two years

A Helping Paw was set up in 2022 by Ms Muncaster after she put a post on social media offering to give away cat food she did not need.

"The response was just insane and it kind of just went from there," she explained.

"At first we were helping around 20 or 30 families a month, but now it's at least 200."

The service is collection only, so if someone is struggling they can message the charity which will then provide an emergency food parcel for a dog, cat and most other pets.

Ms Muncaster said some of the stories she had heard were "heartbreaking".

"People tell us they are not eating themselves so they can afford to feed their pets," she added.

"A lot of requests were coming from North Shields and Wallsend so it makes sense to have a base in Whitley Bay."

A Helping Paw buys in bulk from supermarkets using cash donations

The Whitley Bay base has just become operational and the first collections start this weekend.

"I work full-time and the charity takes every spare hour I have," Ms Muncaster added.

"But I know how I'd feel if I my two cats didn't have access to food, I just don't want anyone to have to feel like that."

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