A West Sussex pet store has joined forces with a rescue centre to create a pet food bank for the area.

Toni Marsh, of The Pet Pantry in Selsey, said: “I’m proud to announce that myself and Labrador Rescue are joining forces to create the Selsey Pet Food Bank. We will be working in conjunction with Selsey Care Shop who will distribute alongside the regular food bank ensuring that everyone who needs a helping hand gets it.

“We know that the cost of living crisis has pushed many people to the edge and for a lot of people they are having to choose between heating & eating themselves and feeding pets.

“We know how important pets are for wellbeing and mental health and we never want people to have to make that choice and so we’re here to help as much as we can!

“Myself and Jane (Labrador Rescue) will be funding as much as we can but we are also gratefully accepting donations (food or monetary) towards this cause. We will be accepting any donations in store and then all stock will be taken to the Selsey Care Shop who will then distribute. 

“Currently we are planning to do this for the next 6 months to ease the pressure in the Winter months, if the scheme needs extending past that point then we will reassess in the Spring.”