'Do not struggle alone': Scottish SPCA hopes to expand Pet Aid to help more people struggling to keep their animals – The Press & Journal

Scottish Daily Newspaper of The Year
A Scottish charity is encouraging pet owners to reach out for help if they are struggling to feed their pets.
This year, calls to the Scottish SPCA helpline have more than trebled due to the cost of living crisis.
In direct response, the charity launched the Pet Aid project in the summer with the aim of “getting ahead” of a situation where people have to give up their pets.
Pet Aid involves frequent deliveries of cat and dog food to 16 foodbanks across Scotland, including Cfine in Aberdeen, The Haven in Stonehaven and Caithness Foodbank.
Today, representatives from the Scottish SSPCA were joined by Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon to deliver pet food and find out how the project is working at The Haven community larder.
Kirsteen Campbell, chief executive of the Scottish SPCA, said the visit was important to help shine a light on the service and the brilliant work of the community larder.
“We’re participating by providing essential pet food and supplies,” she said. “By coming here today, it lets people know that there are options open to them and they do not have to give up their pet.
“It’s so important to try and retain that human and animal bond, particularly now, as everyone knows the benefits to mental health
“We know problems are around, food, medical costs and behaviour, so with food, that’s where we’ve made our start. This is something we can do and get essential supplies out to people who need it most.
“We were at capacity very often during the pandemic but this feels very different. In a cost of living crisis, the calls to relinquish an animal are higher than I’ve ever seen them, and I can imagine it’s going to get worse – it’s heartbreaking.”
Julie Ann Gray, the manager of The Haven, said it became obvious during lockdown how important it was to have a regular stock of pet food.
The Stonehaven-based larder provides food and litter for animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters, which is all collected by pet owners every week.
“For some people, their pet may be their only companion,” she said. “Very early on in the pandemic, we realised pet food was important because many elderly people and people who don’t drive couldn’t get pet food.
“And now, we do see quite a few younger lads who will feed their dogs before they feed themselves. We often we need to have meaningful conversations with them about being well for their pet.”
Carrie Giannelli, Pet Aid coordinator, said there has been a positive response to the initiative so far – with a further 27 foodbanks waiting to get involved.
“We are hoping to expand over the next few months once I’ve got some volunteers on board, but speaking to the foodbanks has made it clear the stuff is going pretty fast,” she said.
“Within one box, we’ve got enough food to feed one cat and one dog for a week each, and hopefully we’ll be able to expand that.
“It’s good to see what the food banks are doing and who they are supporting, and how often people are coming in for pet food so we have that information and know what they need.”
The charity is now actively recruiting more volunteers so it can expand the Pet Aid Project across the country.
Angus North and Mearns MSP Ms Gougeon said it was “fantastic” to see how Pet Aid works firsthand and that she is hopeful it will prevent people having to give up their pets.
“I think it’s really important that we don’t forget the role of animals in this,” she said.
“It’s really horrible, first of all, to hear about the increase in people needing help and support, and also, people who are not feeding themselves and feeding their animals instead.
“I think that’s where this initiative is so important and people know that support is there and they can come and get it. I think it’s it’s brilliant to hear that the Scottish SPCA is expanding that network, and anything we can collectively do to keep people with their pets is going to be really important too.
“The overriding message to get out to people is to not struggle alone at home, please do reach out. It can be challenging to do that for the first time, but people are there to support, either here at The Haven or what’s happening locally to you.”
Anyone struggling to look after their pets are advised to get in touch with the Scottish SSPCA via the helpline on 03000 999 999.
The Press and Journal and Evening Express are working hard to make sure people in our communities know where they can get help.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, the Big Food Appeal team are working to show you where your nearest foodbank is, and to reduce the stigma surrounding food poverty, by debunking the myths around who can receive support.
A full list of foodbanks and community pantries working with Pet Aid can be found on the SPCA’s website.
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