THIS Christmas, Pets at Home in Launceston will be running a Santa Paws appeal to help ensure that Launceston’s abandoned animals aren’t forgotten during the festive season.

The Santa Paws Appeal, run with the charity Support Adoption For Pets, collects gifts and donations for homeless animals during the festive season. Now in its eighth year, the team at Pets at Home Launceston wants to help local abandoned animals have a happy Christmas. 

Running until Christmas Eve (Monday, December 24), Pets at Home Launceston is encouraging customers to donate or buy an extra gift to benefit a pet in need at a local animal shelter. 

A 50p donation in store will buy a Christmas dinner for a rescue pet, with all money donated during the appeal going to local animal welfare charities to supply much needed food over the Christmas period.

Store manager Jasmine Williams says: “Not every pet is lucky enough to be treated at Christmas and that’s why we are launching our Santa Paws appeal again this year.

“Customers simply pay for their gift at the till and receive a sticker to place on the product. The gift can then be placed in the charity collection bin found in store. We will then invite local rescues to come in and collect whatever has been donated.”

Last year, Pets at Home and Support Adoption For Pets helped provide 2.9-million Christmas dinners for animals being cared for in UK re-homing centres through the Santa Paws appeal.

Support Adoption For Pets fundraising manager, Amy Wilson, commented: “Every year we are amazed by the generosity of the nation and so we are delighted to announce that we’re launching the Santa Paws appeal once again.  It is our mission to ensure that no pet in a rescue centre goes without a Christmas dinner, and we hope that people will spare a moment’s thought when Christmas shopping for their own beloved pets this year and make a donation to those pets less fortunate than their own.”

Since being established in 2006, the scheme has helped more than 1,000 rehoming centres and animal welfare organisations across the UK by awarding grants and running fundraising campaigns with Pets at Home.