SCOTS have proved themselves to be the biggest pet lovers in the UK after raising over £77,000 for animals in need.
Over four weeks, animal lovers from all over the UK chipped in to help rescue animals by purchasing ‘Scratch and Match’ cards in Pets at Home Stores across the UK.
The final fundraising total pulled in over £540,000, with each store averaging just over £1,000 raised each.
But, even with 430 Pets at Home Stores across the UK, Scots efforts were particularly notable as the top five stores who raised the most money were all based in either Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Edinburgh’s three stores Fort Kinnaird, Pentland and Livingston took the top spots in the UK having raised a combined £25,000, while Glasgow wasn’t far behind with its stores Glasgow,
Glasgow Pollokshaws, Coatbridge and Bishopbriggs totalling more than £10,000.
The funds raised will benefit pets all over Scotland and the UK, with the money distributed between many different rescue centres to help support the animals in their care.
Charity Support Adoption for Pets was established by Pets at Home in 2006, to give abandoned pets a second chance at happiness.
They donate over £1 million every year through an extensive Grant Programme, where the charity helps to rehome thousands of dogs, cats and domestic pets in the UK by supporting rescues with the costs of vet bills, food and shelter and the building of rescue facilities, using money kindly donated by the public in Pets at Home stores.
Pets like Marmalade, a 12-year-old shorthaired white and ginger cat rescued in Glasgow, who was suffering from Hyperthyroidism and had to undergo radioactive iodine treatment at Glasgow University Vet School.
He also had to have most of his teeth removed and now lives on a diet of soup. Funding from Support Adoption for Pets allowed rescuers to help Marmalade get better, and now he’s looking for a loving home to make his own.
Kathy Dunsmore, a volunteer for Cats Protection Glasgow Branch which has been caring for Marmalade, said: “Marmalade was in a dreadful state when he came to us. He underwent intensive radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism and had to have most of his teeth removed.
“Without the generosity of people in our local area and the funding we receive from Support Adoption For Pets, we would have little hope of providing the life saving treatment needed for animals like Marmalade. He’s a lovely cat who has made a tremendous recovery and is now looking for a new home.”
Louise Barden, Manager at Pets at Home Fort Kinnaird, the store which raised the most money in the UK, said: “The best part about our job is fundraising and working alongside local rehoming centres in the area. The way my team worked together to raise £10,000 was absolutely phenomenal. We held tombolas and bake sales in store and to top it off our Area Manager even gave up a day to be locked in a cage to help the cause.
“We hope the money raised really makes a difference to all those unwanted and abandoned pets in our community.”
Amy Wilson, Fundraising Manager from Support Adoption For Pets, said: “We are blown away by the remarkable charity fundraising that the Pets at Home stores in Scotland have delivered for the Summer Fundraiser – an astonishing amount of money has been donated to very worthy local pet rescues, revealing the drive, creativity and sheer generosity of Pets at Home store teams and customers across the UK.”
