TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2022 17
Feeding pets in hard times
It's been a tough few years for pet owners, with first COVID-19
and then a cost-of-living crisis leaving many struggling to
afford proper care for their beloved pets.
Our branches and inspectors working in communities know
their local areas intimately and understand only too well
how human emergencies can have a dramatic impact on
pets. As soon as they saw that people were struggling due
to COVID-19, they began setting up incredible local initiatives
to help. As the cost-of-living crisis then took hold, more and
more schemes sprang up right across the RSPCA. Teaming
up with other local groups - such as food banks and food
parcel distributors - they have been providing donated pet
food and welfare support to help owners keep their pets
safe and well in good homes.
Many thousands of animals have been protected through
these initiatives. In our northern region alone, our teams
sent out the equivalent of around 140,000 daily dog meals
and 65,000 daily cat meals in 2022.
We are now in the process of joining all these initiatives
up in our Pet Food Bank Partnership, with our branches,
volunteers, inspectors, human food banks, local groups,
pet food manufacturers and suppliers and other generous
donors all working together to provide practical support
wherever it is most needed.
Thanks to our dedicated branches, workers and volunteers
operating in the heart of communities across England and
Wales, fewer animals will suffer from lack of food or delays
in basic health care through the current crisis, and fewer
will be abandoned, to be rescued, cared for and rehomed
by the RSPCA and other animal welfare charities.
Our branches and inspectors
working in communities know their
local areas intimately and understand
only too well how human emergencies
can have a dramatic impact on pets.