Since the UK lockdown was announced, pet rescue centres and animal charities have been feeling the dramatic impacts of the pandemic, with many closing to the public, operating with limited volunteers and losing out on vital fundraising events and opportunities.

Pet owners have shown their support for the important work of these organisations by helping Pets at Home’s Lifelines charity scheme to provide £1,319,057 since the start of lockdown, including an additional donation of £550,150 to help the charities cope with the challenges of the pandemic. This latest donation takes the total amount raised by the scheme to over £13 million to date.

The funds will be used to help over 770 charities across the country, helping organisers and volunteers to buy the essentials they need to keep the animals in their care happy, healthy and fed until they are ready to find their forever homes.

The Lifelines charity scheme is open to all Pets at Home VIP loyalty scheme members. For every £1 spent with Pets at Home, Groom Room, Vets4Pets and Companion Care surgeries, the Lifelines charity initiative donates one ‘Lifeline’ to the shopper’s nominated pet charity.

Every three months, these Lifelines are converted into vouchers that allow the charities to purchase vital supplies like food, bedding and toys.

Peter Pritchard, group chief executive at Pets at Home, said: “The last few months have been an incredibly challenging time for pet charities in the UK as the pandemic has left them under extreme pressure and with less means to fundraise. We’d like to thank our VIP loyalty scheme members for helping us to support these charities by simply continuing to shop with us, in stores and online.

“These much-needed funds will help support the important work of local charities that keep animals healthy and safe.”