Need for Edinburgh pet foodbank more than doubled during lockdown

The service is run by Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home.

A pet foodbank run by Edinburgh Dog and Cat home has seen need for its service more than double during lockdown.

Walk-ins for the service increased 130 per cent between January and May 2020.

The dedicated dog and cat foodbank was launched in October 2019 in response to owners not being able to feed their pets through issues including poverty, illness, homelessness and domestic abuse.

Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine of Edinbugh Dog and Cat Home.

The service, which aims to keep pets in loving homes as long as possible, provides wet and dry food as well as jackets, collars, leads, bowls and bedding.

The Home’s staff are also on hand to offer advice.

Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had an immense impact on the people of Scotland, not least those who were already struggling financially. Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has been working at the frontline of animal welfare throughout this crisis, and we recognised that it is a period of huge uncertainty for pet owners experiencing poverty. Our pet foodbank has remained open and busy, and we’ve been delighted to support our partners at Street Soccer Scotland and Space and the Broomhouse Hub to help get supplies straight to those who need it most.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has donated to the pet foodbank over the last few months, and indeed those whose financial donations have been keeping us afloat during this challenging period when many income streams have been cut.”

The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has also been supporting Street Soccer Scotland and Space and the Broomhouse Club to distribute items from the pet foodbank during the lockdown.

Chris Binnie, Street Soccer Scotland, said: “Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home’s pet foodbank has been a fantastic support to the Street Soccer Scotland players who have been caring for pets whilst also managing their own safety and well-being throughout COVID-19.

"The service has allowed a number of players to keep their pets in caring and loving homes during a time of heightened uncertainty. On behalf of our players and those supported by the pet foodbank, we are extremely grateful for all of the kindness shown.”

Helene van der Ploeg, Business Manager at Space and the Broomhouse Hub, said: “As we went into lockdown during COVID-19, our furry friends were as vulnerable as the families they live with.

"Huge thanks to Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home for donating pet supplies that we could distribute to families in need in South West Edinburgh. We had many calls from people who were self-isolating, experiencing loss of income and real problems accessing food to feed their pets.

"The Home helped us to take the stress and worry away from these people and ensure that their faithful friends could be fed. One lady was in tears when we delivered her parcel of pet food; she lives on her own and was shielding, and her dog is her lifeline. She was so frightened that she would lose her beloved friend because she couldn’t find a way to feed him.”

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