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Pet food bank project expands to North East
"We set up the scheme in the hope that we could provide as much pet food as possible and keep families and their pets together." - ARO Heather Wade.

The RSPCA began the project in response to the pandemic. 

 The RSPCA is asking the public for pet food donations as its food bank project expands into North East England.

Beginning in Lancashire during lockdown, as a response to the large number of pet owners with financial difficulties that the RSPCA was seeing, the project links up the RSPCA with food banks around the country to provide the food banks with pet food. 

Rolled out across 35 different food banks across Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Northumbria and Greater Manchester, the project is now being rolled out in the North East of England.

The food banks who have signed up for the project are Key 2 Life Food Bank (South Shields), Washington Community Food Project, Walker and District Food Bank and Newcastle West End Food Bank. 

RSPCA animal rescue officer (ARO) Heather Wade, who is coordinating the effort across South Tyneside and Newcastle, commented on the project: “We’ve seen pets become a real source of comfort to people during the pandemic and it’s fantastic to see those strong bonds between owners and their animals. 

“However, the pandemic has put a strain on people’s finances and we’re seeing a lot of people experience tough times at the moment. 

“The last thing we want is for a loving owner to have to give up their companion and so we set up the scheme in the hope that we could provide as much pet food as possible and keep families and their pets together.”

The charity is asking for donations of pet food to assist the project, and members of the public are asked to use these drop-off points and specify that the donation is for the project:

    •   RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre, Waldridge Lane, DH2 3BF
    •   RSPCA Newcastle and North Northumberland Branch Shop, 200 Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 1DU
    •   RSPCA Newcastle and North Northumberland Branch Shop, 186 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 2TA

Heather added: “We’re so pleased to be able to help in this way and are so grateful for any donations we receive to help this project.”

 

Image (C) RSPCA

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.