New foodbank supporting pet owners to launch in Deeside

Post-pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of people who are having to give up their beloved pets as they can no longer afford to look after them.

But the newly-formed P.E.T. (Pets Eat Today) Foodbank in Deeside is aiming to, at the very least, help ease the financial pressures of caring for a pet.

Currently based out of an outhouse behind the White Bear pub in Mancot, the foodbank is set to officially launch on Tuesday, August 23.

READ MORE: Cost of Living: Flintshire dog rescue charity sees 'huge increase' in demand for re-homing

It is the brainchild of Mel Oldfield, from Hawarden, who was inspired to set it up after realising the struggles people are currently facing. 

She was further spurred on to introduce the foodbank to Deeside after adopting labrador Ronnie just last year.

Mel - who is an intensive care sister in her day job - said: "Our Facebook page was only set up two days ago, but we have already been inundated with people getting in touch with us.

"At the moment, we're based out of what is essentially a storage shed at the back of the White Bear in Mancot. We are desperate for donations and people are more than welcome to get in touch with us whether they want to help out or need help themselves."

PIC: Mel Oldfield and her labrador Ronnie.

Mel added that collection points - where cash and item donations can be made - have already been set up for the foodbank at the White Bear itself, as well as at the Hawarden Post Office and the Beauty Box Salon in Shotton.

She says that they will also be approaching some of the bigger supermarkets for support in the near future. 

She says that, after August 23, the foodbank will be open twice a week between 1-2pm on both Tuesdays and Thursdays.

READ MORE: Pets in need of rehoming from North Wales rescue centre

Mel said: "With the cost of living now, people are being forced to give up their animals even if they really don't want to. What we're looking to do is show that we can help and do our bit to prevent this from happening.

"We want to work with the RSPCA who can hopefully put us in touch with people who are in desperate need of help with supporting their pets and prevent re-homing from happening.

"It's not just food we are after, we are hoping to also provide everything from beds to leads and harnesses.

"I'm a first time dog owner myself and Ronnie has completely transformed my life. The thought of having to give him up makes me sick but unfortunately that is the situation a lot of people are in now.

PIC: The White Bear pub in Mancot, where P.E.T. Foodbank is currently based.

"I'm very excited about getting the foodbank up and running and to see how our services evolve in months to come."

To contact Mel and the foodbank team, you can visit their Facebook page 'P.E.T. Foodbank Deeside or through petfoodbankdeeside@gmail.com or 07944101264.