11/07/2026
I have been meaning to write this post for such a long time but I haven't known how to do it. I have been back and forth in my brain a million times and it never seems "right" so I am just going for it. Strap in, it's a long post 🧡
With a very heavy heart, I am writing to share some incredibly difficult news. After much soul-searching, I have made the decision to close down Your Pet Food Bank.
I want to start by apologising. To everyone who has supported us, cheered us on, and believed in our mission—I am so deeply sorry that I cannot carry this flame any longer. The fundraising, begging emails, social media, organising of collections and deliveries (and physically doing these) as well as struggling with storage and with the paperwork that comes with being a CIC have left me drowning and despite having time off since Christmas, I'm still struggling.
When I first started this journey, we were one of the very first Pet Food Banks in the UK. We stepped into a massive gap, driven by a simple desire to keep pets with the families who love them. But over time, the landscape has changed, and the reality of running this rescue has taken a profound toll.
🔹Why We Are Closing - This decision did not come easily, but it has become necessary for a few key reasons:
🔸The Emotional Toll: I entered this work out of deep love for animals, but lately, it has felt like trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon. The sheer volume of need, combined with caring so deeply, has led to severe emotional burnout. I have poured everything I have into this, and my tank is completely empty.
🔸Challenges with Accountability: Increasingly, we have faced situations involving the misuse of our services and a heartbreaking lack of accountability from some owners regarding the basic responsibilities of pet ownership. Trying to navigate these systemic issues as a small team has become unsustainable.
🔸A Stronger Safety Net: The silver lining is that the world looks different now than it did when we started. Today, major national charities have stepped up to offer pet food bank support. They have the infrastructure, resources, and scale to deal with this crisis in ways a small independent charity simply cannot. Knowing that these safety nets now exist gives me the peace of mind to finally step away.
🔹What Comes Next
While this chapter is ending, my passion for animal welfare is not. After I take some much-needed time to rest and recharge, I plan to channel my experience into other areas of hands-on rescue work and rehabilitation.
To our donors, volunteers, and community: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You helped us feed thousands of animals and keep families together when they had nowhere else to turn. I will be forever proud of what we achieved together, and I hope you can understand and support this necessary step for my own well-being.
The truth is, I want to close the door but I don't want to bolt it. I just have nothing left in my tank and haven't for a little while. Even writing this post I am in tears. I just have nothing left to give right now.
Thank you for everything, and goodbye...for now ❤️❤️
