Owner of The Chuckery Farm in Altham, Tim Harrison, is giving out poultry, duck, goat, rabbit, cat and dog food free of charge

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A farmer has launched a pet food bank for the first time after hearing how people with pets are struggling with the cost of living.

Owner of The Chuckery Farm in Altham, Tim Harrison, is giving out poultry, duck, goat, rabbit, cat and dog food free of charge. He says after having conversations with pet owners about soaring energy bills he realised how much people were struggling and wanted to do something to help at his Bell Lane based farm.

Tim said: “Everyone has found it to be a good idea and people really appreciate it and it has been taken in well by the local community. Our land has a footpath running through it and we get people walking by and the more you talk to people, the more you hear that they are suffering. People are really struggling with fuel bills which then has a knock on effect.

“One lady told me she goes without heating just to feed her dogs.”

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The farmer tries to give people a week or two weeks worth of food depending on how much he has. Around 30 people contact him on a weekly basis and 20 people turn up to the food bank a week.

He says he has noticed that pet food has increased by around 30 per cent and this price increase, on top of soaring energy bills, has meant that people are considering rehoming their pets. Tim says 60 per cent of people that contact him say they cannot afford to feed their pets and as a result will have to rehome them.

Cat food has proven to be a popular product at the food bank, followed by rabbit and dog food. Pet food from the food bank comes from the RSPCA Food Bank Partnership as well as members of the public. The funds raised from eggs sold at the farm also go towards the food bank.

The Chuckery Farm is known for its poultry rescue. Tim has taken birds, goats, pigs, turkeys and more animals into his care, which came from the public and national animal charities.

Duck Dog Food To contact Tim or to find out more information visit Chuckery Pet Food Bank on Facebook or call 07738 567144