As the cost of living crisis continues to impact families and households across the nation, a record number of pets are being abandoned on the streets and outside rescue centres. Research carried out by Dogs Trust has revealed that a third of owners in the UK are finding it more difficult to give their dogs all they need.
One woman is on a mission to help struggling pet parents and prevent them from being forced to give up their beloved furry companions. Tyesha Muncaster, 24, from Northumberland, set up her own pet food bank in July and managed to help 40 animals in just the first three days - since, she's helped hundreds more.
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Tyesha, who works in digital marketing, got the idea for a pet food bank after posting a Facebook status offering local cat owners some leftover kitten pouches.
Her two cats, Oreo and Milo, had moved onto adult food and she thought someone would be able to make use of the remaining pouches, instead of throwing them away.
"The response was absolutely amazing and I realised there was a high demand out there for pet food," Tyesha told the Mirror.
It inspired her to set up an initiative called A Helping Paw Pet Food Bank in Ashington, to support people struggling to feed their beloved pets.
"We've helped over 200 animals since July. I've been overwhelmed by people's kindness and the positive reaction," Tyesha said.
"We welcome all animals from cats and dogs to rabbits and even a bearded dragon."
Users are limited to two visits a month and are supplied with a weeks worth of food at a time. All people need to do is message the Facebook page or get in touch on the website to receive a free food package.
Tyesha and her small team of volunteers help approximately 30 people a week, some with numerous different pets.
She is appealing for donations - both food and money - and volunteers to deliver packages or store stock in hubs.
"Volunteers will put a package together for a week then deliver directly or users will come and collect," Tyesha explained.
"We have 14 volunteers and two main volunteers who pour everything into this."
Alongside juggling a full-time job as an SEO strategist, Tyesha has been working day and night collecting and delivering food packages across Northumberland.
But it's all worth it when she meets and speaks to the grateful families she is helping.
"One woman was thinking about putting her pet down - she thought it was the nicest thing to do because she couldn't feed it," Tyesha explained.
"It's awful that people can't see any other alternative and I'm just glad we can help them."
Other people have found themselves reaching out to her near the end of the month, as they struggle to make ends meet before payday.
"People can go to our Facebook page and donate via PayPal or hand in physical donations," the 24-year-old said.
Cash donations help Tyesha to buy pet food when stocks are running low and also supplies specialist food for pets with allergies or dietary needs.
"One day I would love to go national and open hubs across the UK to help as many people as possible. I want to be the pet food bank everyone thinks about when they're in need," Tyesha added.
Are you struggling to feed your pet in the cost of living crisis? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
