Hungry hounds are drooling at the thought of Kong toys packed with food from Healthy Pet Store in Totton being delivered to shelters across Southampton.

Healthy Pet Store customers and visitors are being urged to "stuff a KONG" with delicious and nutritious treats for International KONG Day in store on April 8th.

On the day, volunteers will be able to take an empty KONG and have fun stuffing it with tasty food, snacks and treats before they are frozen and then delivered to St. Francis Animal Welfare, Blue Cross Southampton, RSPCA Solent and Second Chance Animal Rescue shelters the next day.

Healthy Pet Store Managing Director, Deborah Burrows has urged people who want to make a difference to sheltered dogs to come into the store, roll up their sleeves and help her team to "get stuffing".

She said: “This is going to be a fun and engaging event for our customers. Children especially will enjoy the experience. KONG toys are wonderful enrichment toys every dog can enjoy, so I’m hoping our volunteers will also come away with plenty of new recipes and ideas they can use at home.”

Designed to provide long-lasting entertainment for dogs, KONG toys promote wellbeing and provide stimulation. 

Katie from St. Francis Animal Welfare said: "We are delighted that Healthy Pet Store thought of us for KONG Day 2024. We know all of our dogs will be very excited to receive a fully stuffed KONG.

"Some of our dogs need extra help during their stay here and in their adopted home, so we often use enrichment toys to help them settle into their new environment and reduce stress."

The Fruit Basket in Stubbington will also be donating damaged fruits to be used for stuffing on the day. 

Healthy Pet Store is an independent retailer selling a wide range of raw pet food, training gear, fun and functional toys and training gear.