Home is where the heart is

Our project is about more than just providing assistance—it’s about empowering our community by helping pet owners avoid the devastating choice between feeding their pets and meeting essential living costs. By supporting pet owners during times of crisis, we foster financial resilience and emotional wellbeing for some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Many individuals and families are just one unexpected expense away from financial hardship. For pet owners, this can lead to heart-wrenching decisions—skipping meals, falling behind on bills, or surrendering a beloved companion due to unaffordable costs. Our initiative aims to ease that burden by: •Keeping Families Together By supplying pet food and assisting with essential household bills, we help prevent unnecessary pet surrenders and provide much-needed stability during difficult times. •Reducing Financial Stress When pet owners don’t have to worry about feeding their animals, they can focus on paying rent and other urgent expenses, helping to prevent deeper financial crises. •Strengthening Community Ties A resilient community is one built on compassion and support. Our work encourages cooperation and reinforces a culture of care. •Preventing Long-Term Hardship By offering short-term relief, we help people stay afloat, reducing the risk of debt, eviction, or lasting economic instability. Our Collaborative Approach We are proud to work in partnership with local charities including Aspire, Living Well, Ventnor Community Pantry, and The Bay Foodbank. Collectively, these organisations support thousands of cats and dogs owned by a wide range of individuals—from families and older adults to those living with mobility challenges, addiction, mental health issues, or homelessness. Our support has been welcomed and our partners have identified additional areas of urgent need: microchipping, welfare boarding, dog walking, vaccinations, and basic flea and worming treatments.

The "Home is Where the Heart Is" project aims to improve pet welfare and support vulnerable households by providing pet food, supplies, and basic veterinary care. Expected outcomes include reduced pet abandonment, enhanced stability for at-risk individuals, strengthened community networks, and better access to preventative care. The project will raise awareness of the importance of pet ownership for mental health and wellbeing, fostering long-term sustainability for both pets and owners.