Pet food banks have been set up pet at Blue Cross charity shops in Oxfordshire to help people struggling to keep their pet in the family.
Food donation points have been set up at the Blue Cross charity shops in Bicester and Witney where people can leave cat and dog food.
Since launching at the start of October, 212 tins of pet food, 150 packs of wet food and over 20,000 grams of dry cat and dog food have been donated to these two foodbanks.
Donations from the Bicester Blue Cross shop are being sent to Banbury Pet Bank to be distributed to pet owners in need.
The Blue Cross charity shop on High Street in Witney is working with Witney Foodbank to distribute donations to pet owners in need.
READ ALSO: Botley biker died in crash near A44 roundabout, inquest hears
The Blue Cross is looking to roll these donation points out further.
A Blue Cross spokesperson said: "We’d urge anyone struggling to care for their pet to get in touch with Blue Cross or their local pet charity as soon as possible for support and advice.
"We can offer behaviour advice and signpost to other organisations who may be able to help as we know pets are part of the family, and we want to keep families together.
"If the best decision is for someone to rehome their pet then we can support them through this and make sure we find a loving new home for the pet.
"We know times are tough and we want people to know we are here to provide help and support without judgement, we want to keep people and their companions together wherever possible."
The charity is also offering hints and expert tips on budget pet care and how to keep your pet healthy on its website.
It comes as a Blue Cross survey found 51 per cent of Brits worry about affording their pets' healthcare and 41 per cent admit they would delay taking their pets to the vet to save money.
One in nine people have already cut back on pet food.
The Burford rehoming centre team are experiencing an increase in horses needing rehoming.
In June, the team received around 100 calls for help to rehome horses because the cost of living crisis meant owners are struggling to look after them.
Centre manager Hannah Wiltshire said: “We are starting to see more people getting in touch with us for help to rehome their pet as they can no longer afford to care for their pet, whether that be the cost of vet bills or feeding their pet.
READ ALSO: Witney site proposed for green energy plant that could heat 7,000 homes
"We’d urge anyone who is struggling to care for their pet to get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can provide assistance.
“Our horse team has seen an increase in the number of requests they’re getting to help people who can no longer afford the cost of their animal."
The charity was already under pressure as a result of Covid when pet ownership increased but many people were forced to hand animals back when they returned to the office.
Read more from this author
This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris
Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail
Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here