A MOUNT Gambier animal rescue group has received over 600kgs of donated pet food through a recent national charity drive.
Wet Noses Animal Rescue was one of 18 South Australian rescue groups and community outreach organisations to share in over 20 tonnes of pet food donations collected through a collaboration between PetRescue, Mars Petcare and PETstock.
Grateful for the donation, Wet Noses volunteer Marie Dukalskis said the large amount of food was a relief for the organisation, which operates a foster care program.
“The total works out to be about six kilogramss per cat, which will last the carers around six to eight weeks,” Ms Dukalskis said.
Ms Dukalskis urged the South East community to donate through specially-labelled bins situated at Woolworths, Coles and PETstock stores.
“It is much appreciated by the carers because we do not receive any funding,” Ms Dukalskis said.
“The carers usually purchase the food themselves.
“But we do request for no home brand donations as a lot of our cats have sensitive stomachs.”
With each carer hosting around seven or eight cats, Ms Dukalskis said the expenses “add up”.
“This is not including if a carer has a sick cat that needs specific food as well,” she said.
“We are also always in need of formula for bottle fed kittens but do understand that it is costly for a donation.”
Ms Dukalskis said quality beds, toys and blankets for cats and kittens were also welcomed.
Wet Noses has averaged around 100 animals in care at any given time during 2019.
The organisation rehomed 225 animals in 2018.
