Demand for York pet food bank soars in its first year

Anne Hirst set up York pet food bank on 9 January 2023

A woman who set up a pet food bank in York a year ago has said demand for the service has increased as the cost of living crisis has deepened.

Anne Hirst set up York pet food bank in January 2023 to "help keep animals with families" .

She stores donations of food in her garage for people struggling with rising costs.

"Even if I can stop just one pet being abandoned or surrendered it had to be worth giving it a go," she said.

Ms Hirst, who worked in animal rescue for 30 years before setting up the food bank, added: "I decided to start it because I saw some awful stories of people abandoning pets, pets going into rescue."

Ms Hirst stores the donations in her garage

She told BBC Radio York: "I kept thinking 'what about a pet food bank in York', but thought it wouldn't take off.

"So I did a bit of research and realised they were being set up all over the UK in areas of high poverty where people were struggling to feed their pets."

Ms Hirst said the project had gone from strength to strength, with donation drop-off points in Acomb, Woodthorpe, Huntington and Naburn.

This winter more collection points have been added, including at some pet shops and kennels.

"When I started it I didn't have a single can of cat or dog food," said Ms Hirst.

"Since then I've pretty much kept going with donations and I've never run out or had to close temporarily."

The scheme now has several drop off points around the city

She said the local community had also got behind the project.

"The amount of support has been fantastic and I really appreciate everyone that has donated, every single can or packet of cat or dog food," she said.

"Demand has grown over the last few months particularly as the cost of living crisis has kicked in," Ms Hirst said.

"In the last few months I've also had more of the local human food banks ask if I can supply them with pet food."

She said it was "sad" pet food banks were needed, adding: "Unfortunately it's a sign of the times and because they can't speak for themselves pets can get forgotten about."