Nottinghamshire trainer sets up pet food bank

A Nottinghamshire-based dog trainer has set up a pet food bank to help struggling pet owners.

Emma Johnson, who works as a dog trainer and dog walker in Kirkby, was inspired to set up Rocky Road Pet Food Bank after talking with one of her clients.

She told the Mansfield and Ashfield Chad: “I’m not asking people to go out and buy things, it’s more an idea that if you’ve already got a cat and there’s a particular flavour of Whiskers they don’t like in the packet and that sort of thing then they can donate them.

“I’ve spoken to the Kirkby Food Bank and they have my number and contact details so if they have someone come in who needs a certain hamster food, dog food, etc, they will ring me and ask if I’ve got it and then I can take it to them the next week.

“It’s not just food either, I’ve had people donate dog crates, I’ve got dog leads, harnesses, I’ve got a hamster cage coming.”

She added: “I’ve got two drop off points now from two local businesses and I’ve got a Facebook group which I’ve set up which my friends are sharing to get the word out as well. People have been really generous.”