At Ferne Animal Sanctuary, we believe no one should have to give up a beloved pet because of financial hardship. Sadly, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis in the UK continues to put immense pressure on individuals and families – and for many, this includes the ability to afford basic pet care essentials like food.

We regularly hear from people facing heartbreaking decisions, considering rehoming their much-loved animals simply because they can no longer afford to feed them. In some cases, we’ve been able to offer short-term support — and in many of those moments, just providing free pet food has made all the difference in keeping pets where they belong: at home, with the people who love them.

Introducing the Ferne Pet Food Bank Scheme

To extend this support further, we’ve launched a dedicated Pet Food Bank Scheme, now available at four of our charity shops:

• Dorchester

• Yeovil

• Wellington

• Chard

We understand that not everyone is able to travel to the Sanctuary itself, so offering this initiative through our shops helps make support more accessible to those in need across the wider community.

Why We’re Doing This

Sometimes we receive generous pet food donations in quantities larger than we can use or with shorter shelf lives. Rather than letting this food go to waste, we want to ensure it reaches the people and animals who need it most. Our pet food bank is about redistributing these supplies in a meaningful and compassionate way.

Who Can Access the Pet Food Bank?

We’ve designed this service to be as open and stigma-free as possible:

• It’s available to anyone struggling to feed their pets – no proof of income or benefits is required.

• We trust people to take only what they need so that supplies can go further.

• Stock levels may vary between locations depending on donations and demand.

Even if a particular Ferne charity shop is not currently running the scheme, our team will always try to signpost visitors to the nearest participating branch.

How You Can Help

This initiative is all about keeping people and their pets together, even during the most difficult times. You can support us by:

• Spreading the word – share this blog with friends, family, and on social media.

• Donating pet food – dry or wet food for cats, dogs, and small animals is always appreciated.

• Supporting our charity shops – every purchase you make helps us continue offering services like this one.

Together, we can ensure that no one has to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pet.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary is proud to be offering practical, compassionate support for pet owners during these challenging times. If you’d like to learn more about our pet food banks, donate supplies, or get involved, please email info@ferneanimalsanctuary.org or visit one of our participating shops.