Irvine’s Pets at Home Branch is one of the first shops to launch donation points in partnership with the Blue Cross.

The Irvine shop is one of the first of 450 stores throughout the UK to take part in the collaboration between pet charity Blue Cross and Pets at Home.

Pets at Home Irvine Store Manager, Andy Wallace, said: “We’re excited to be one of the first stores in the UK to launch the customer donation points.

“I’m looking forward to raising awareness of the local causes we’ll be supporting, and I know our customers will donate whatever they can.”

The donation points ask for dog, cat, puppy and kitten food, as well as food for small animals including rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters which will be collected distributed to foodbanks by the Blue Cross.

Pets at Home were inspired to join up with the Blue Cross due to the cost-of-living crisis which has left many pets going hungry.

Pets at Home chief executive officer, Lyssa McGowan, said: “As the UK continues to experience a rapid rise in the cost of living, we know that pet owners will do everything they can to ensure their pets don’t miss out, but we also understand that some owners may be facing difficult choices as their finances become stretched.

“Blue Cross and Pets at Home believe no one should have to face the difficulty of struggling to feed their beloved pets, and we know that our customers are keen to help out wherever they can.”

Blue Cross has worked to help sick, injured and homeless pets throughout the UK for 125 years.

They provide veterinary care and behaviour advice for pets as well as help find families for homeless pets and bereavement advice for those who have lost a pet.

Chief Executive Officer at Blue Cross, Chris Burghes, said: “Pets are part of the family and we’re really proud to have partnered with Pets at Home on this scheme to have a positive impact on the local community in Irvine.”