A Southampton pet food retailer has hosted its very first ‘stuff-a-thon’ event in collaboration with dog toy brand KONG in aid of local dog shelters. 

Healthy Pet Store in Totton welcomed families to the store to ‘Stuff a KONG’ with dog-friendly fillings to be frozen and donated to hounds across the region. 

Members of the Healthy Pet Store team helped volunteers fill the enrichment toys with fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, fish and dog treats for sheltered dogs to enjoy.

The KONGs were donated to St Francis Animal Shelter, Second Chance Animal Rescue, the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Southampton and the RSPCA Stubbington Ark. 

The in-store event was held in recognition of KONG Day 2024 - a yearly celebration of the much-loved ultra-durable dog toy brand. 

Managing director Deborah Burrows said she was delighted to see so many visitors, especially children, willing to lend their time and efforts for a good cause.

“I’m so pleased to see so many of our visitors rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into stuffing the KONGs,” she said. “These toys provide dogs with plenty of stimulation which can help to reduce stress and support overall wellbeing.”

Katie O’Blatch at St Francis Animal Shelter said: “A lot of our sheltered dogs experience stress as they settle into their new environment, so enrichment toys are really important for keeping them occupied and helping them adapt.

“I’d like to say thank you to everyone who helped prepare this wonderful donation - we’re hugely grateful.”