There’s been an appeal for donations of pet food in Harrogate as owners struggle to feed their animals.
The call for donations has come from the Harrogate District Foodbank after finding that many pet owners feel they cannot afford to keep their pets with the rising cost of living.
Dog food prices in particular have risen by 40%.
Seeing the appeal, a Harrogate pet shop owner volunteered to collect and deliver pet food donations for distribution across Harrogate district.
Jon Bradley, owner of HG Pets on Cold Bath Road is asking pet owners to come to the store and give unwanted pet food away.
He said:
“We will take any pet food – if it has been sitting in the cupboard because your pet doesn’t like it, we’ll have it. If it is opened, we can tape it up and it can be donated.
The appeal is for all types of small animal pet food –whether that is for a budgie or a dog.”
Mr Bradley said many pet owners are being forced to consider giving away their pets:
“Having got two dogs, I can’t think of anything worse than having to choose between them or myself… I’d put my animal first if I didn’t have a wife and daughter.”
More information regarding food banks in Harrogate district is available on the Harrogate District Foodbank website or via their email at: info@harrogatedistrict.foodbank.org.uk.
If you wish to donate pet food to HG Pets, you can visit them at 47 Cold Bath Road or call at: 07921 169061.
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Chocolate donations wanted for Harrogate district people in need this Christmas
Harrogate shoppers are being urged to donate chocolate in the next fortnight to brighten up Christmas for people struggling to make ends meet.
Commercial Street Retailers Group is working with Harrogate District Foodbank on the initiative.
Sue Kramer, of Crown Jewellers on Commercial Street and head of the retailers group, said:
“The foodbank told us that they are absolutely overwhelmed with families needing help at the moment. They also said that the one thing they are short of is chocolate: boxes of chocolate biscuits, selection boxes etc, which are classed as more “luxury” items. It’s incredibly sad to think of families not having chocolate, which many people would not regard as luxury, at Christmas.
“We have decided to become the ‘sweetest street’ in Harrogate and from December 1 to 15 we will have festive drop-off points on the street so that people can drop off anything chocolatey.”
People can donate chocolate at four shops on Commercial Street: Foxy Antiques and Interiors, the Harrogate Town shop, Lilly’s Bistro and Cafe and White Rose Sewing.
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The retailers group has come up with various initiatives recently to promote Commercial Street’s array of independent shops and to support the community.
It worked with the charity Disability Action Yorkshire to make it more accessible to people with disabilities and held a dog friendly day.
Ms Kramer said:
“We are always trying to do new and innovative things on Commercial Street. We are also getting bespoke Christmassy bunting made by a local company, Flying Colours in Knaresborough.
“Our street is going to look fantastic and will have a real Christmas community spirit — after all it is the season of goodwill unto others.”