Dandara lends support to Edinburgh animal shelter

Dandara East Scotland is aiming to make a paws-itive difference by supporting Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home (EDCH).

Dandara has donated food and £500 to the charity, which looks after more than 1000 stray dogs and cats every year and delivers much-needed pet supplies to food banks across Scotland.

EDCH, which is based on Seafield Road, set up a Pet Food Bank in 2019 and extended its services to human food banks after learning that struggling families were sacrificing vital groceries to feed their animals.

Derek Stewart-Brown from EDCH explained: “It was heart-breaking to hear of mums and dads who were giving up their own meals from the food bank so they could feed their children and their pets.

“Since our campaign began in 2019, we have given out 37 tonnes of food; supported 40,796 pets and given out 398,000 meals to pets.

“We started by delivering a few boxes of pet food to one food bank and are now supplying 83 from Falkirk to the Lothians and the Borders. We would much rather pets stay in a loving home with their family than have to come to a shelter like ours and be rehomed.”

Lisa Archibald, Head of Sales at Dandara East Scotland, said: “We know times are very tight for so many people, and it is awful to think of families having to give up their precious pets every year because they simply cannot afford to feed them.

“Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home does an incredible job and provides a real lifeline to animals and their owners. I am so proud of our charity committee for organising this donation and so thankful to everyone who lent their support.”

Lindsay Fyffe Jardine, Chief Executive of EDCH, added: “We are so grateful for this generous gift from Dandara, we rely on donations from sponsors to keep our vital services running. With the financial crisis, there has never been more need for support.”  

Established in 1884, Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home aims never to turn away any dog or cat brought to the charity for help. It has a non-destruct policy and tries to make the lives of its animal residents as comfortable and as enjoyable as possible while they are with them.

To find out more about the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home or to donate to the Pet Food Bank go to www.edch.org.uk.

Dandara East Scotland has developments across Edinburgh and The Lothians including Ashgrove in Straiton, Eskbank Gardens near Dalkeith, Foxhall Gait in Kirkliston and Pinkhill Gate in Edinburgh, with further new developments planned for Wallyford and Dunblane.