A PET foodbank in Deeside is appealing for donations to be made as it is struggling to cope with demand.

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, particularly due to the cost of living crisis.

That is why Mel Oldfield, from Hawarden, set up the P.E.T. (Pets Eat Today) Foodbank in August 2022 - with the hope of preventing such situations from arising.

Based out of an outbuilding behind the White Bear pub in Mancot, the foodbank has already become a success story in its short existence to date.

But, with that, has come rising costs and pressure for the foodbank.

Mel says that on top of the donations it receives, the foodbank is also spending around £600 of its own money on buying items to help stock up.

She said: "If you imagine that the majority of people own more than one pet, then that means that it only takes about six or seven people to come in to completely empty our shelves."

READ MORE

Mel, who works as an intensive care sister by day, was inspired further to introduce the foodbank to Deeside after adopting her very own labradors; Ronnie and Ruby.

Talking about the current situation at the foodbank, she added: "The need is huge, bigger than we expected and it feels sometimes like it's just not sustainable. We can't see an end to the demand.

"I have a friend in America who has donated £1,000 recently and without that donation, I'm not sure where we'd be right now."

But Mel says, that despite her concerns, there is hope on the horizon for the future of the foodbank yet.

It is currently 'days away' from securing Community Interest Company (CIC) status - meaning that wider funding would be much easier to come by via grants.

The Leader:

PIC: Members of the dedicated P.E.T Foodbank team which is based in Deeside 

The foodbank has also secured a collection point at the Pets At Home site in Queensferry, where donations and money can be dropped off in aid of P.E.T.

It also receives help from the RSPCA who offer affordable vet care and food on site, something which has been a 'massive help', says Mel.

She now hopes that members of the local community can continue to donate to the cause and keep Flintshire's pets fed.

She said: "We find that tins go much further than anything else does, we're not looking for anything fancy, just own brand stuff.

"I always say that I wouldn't supply anything here that I wouldn't give to my own dogs. We get plenty of dog treats, but not as many cat treats so they would be greatly received too.

"Above all, we are looking for anything that can help keep us going and help keep pets from going hungry."

The P.E.T. Foodbank is open twice a week between 1-2pm on both Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Mel and the team are also hoping to potentially move to a bigger premises once the CIC status is ensured in order to be able to stock more items and help more members of the community.

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