Hazard for pets
Three- quarters of vets in Scotland saw at least one case of pet poisoning from festive treats last Christmas.
And findings from a new survey have prompted the British Veterinary Association (BVA) to urge Renfrewshire pet owners to watch out for potential hazards to their pets this Christmas.
Chocolate poisoning remains the most common cause of toxic ingestion at Christmas for dogs, with 68 per cent of Scottish vets seeing at least one case
John Allison
up with the amount of items we were getting. I’m hoping the end result was even better than last year.
“We’ve been doing this for three years through the fans council and I’d say it’s the best response we have ever had.”
The St Mirren Fans Council organises two Renfrewshire Foodbank collection drives each year – at Easter and Christmas.
John contacted the Dunfermline fans liaison officer to tell them about the collection and some of their supporters also brought along donations.
He added: “I think some people came down to the stadium with donations who weren’t going to the match. They just knew we were there doing a collection.
“I think more people are aware of the foodbank and of our appeal through social media and the Paisley Daily Express, which spread the word.”
Sadly, Christmas is the busiest time of year for applications for help to the foodbank from people in need across the district.
“But thanks to donations like Saturday’s, it’s also the busiest time of year for collections, with volunteers working flat out to make sure no-one goes without this festive season.
John said: “I’d like to give a huge thank you to the foodbank themselves for sending along 18 volunteers on the day, stadium staff for all their help, the fans council members and the people of Paisley.
“The great collection we got just shows the generosity of Buddies.”
● Renfrewshire Foodbank, run by the Trussell Trust, provides three days of emergency food to local individuals and families in crisis.
Frontline care professionals, including health visitors, social workers and school liaison officers, can refer people who are facing hunger to the foodbank.
If you can help – through donations or volunteering – email manager@renfrewshire.foodbank. org.uk or call 0141 889 7999.