Emsworth pet shop calls for festive gift donations for animals living at RSPCA Mount Noddy this Christmas

Food, treats and toys will be wrapped up by staff at Mary Puppins Pet Pantry in Emsworth High Street, to be given as special gifts to animals living in an RSPCA shelter.

These gifts donated by customers will packaged and delivered to Mount Noddy Animal Centre in Chichester just before Christmas Day.

Holly Bastow, shop manager, said: ‘We wanted to do something for the dogs and cats who don’t have homes this year because we believe that they all belong on the nice list and deserve to be spoilt, even if they don’t have a family to do it for them!

‘Animals enrich our lives so thoroughly and we want to give back in any way we can. Being a small local business we know how important it is to support each other, especially during this uncertain time in everyone’s lives.’

Donations can include treats, meals, chew toys, enrichment games and more for the animals living at the centre, which is self-funded.

Su Botherway, animal centre manager, said: ‘At Mount Noddy Animal Centre we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome hundreds of dogs and cats every year. The animals we are seeing now need more help than ever before and as a self-funded local branch of the RSPCA we rely on the generosity of animal lovers out there to help feed and care for them.

‘This has been a tough year for everyone and our dedicated animal welfare team has worked throughout to take in some of the most vulnerable animals in the area and find them the lifelong homes they need.

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‘The animals currently at the centre are now likely to spend Christmas with us, donations of extra treats and toys would be gladly received to help make their stay with us as good as it could be. Thank you everyone who continues to support us.’

Mary Puppins Pet Pantry is also holding a virtual pet show for dogs and cats on Facebook during the lockdown, with £2 fees per class.

All the money will go to Mount Noddy, and there are 10 categories to get involved with for a chance to win a variety of prizes.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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