Thoughtful paws for Santa

STAFF at Pets at Home in Southport are celebrating the success of their Santa Paws appeal after their efforts helped raise £1,476,668 for abandoned pets in the UK.

The national appeal, which is run annually by the charity Support Adoption For Pets, smashed its target of 2,400,000 dinners and raised enough to provide 2,953,336 meals for pets in rescue centres around the country.

Throughout December, the store team worked hard to support the Santa Paws appeal by collecting donations to provide meals for homeless pets in and around Southport.

Now in its sixth year, the Santa Paws appeal supports needy pets at local animal rescue centres.

Of the total money raised, half will be donated directly to local rescue centres.

The remainder will be used by Support Adoption For Pets to support the rehoming of pets in the UK through its extensive grant programme and other charitable activities.

Southport store manager John Gannon said: “What a fantastic result. We had so much fun rais- ing money and are so grateful to all of our generous customers for taking part and donating much needed meals for disadvantaged pets.

“It’s great to know that this money will go towards helping keep abandoned pets healthy and happy until they find a forever home.”

Support Adoption For Pets was established by Pets at Home in 2006.

Every year the charity supports more than 1,000 pet rehoming organisations by awarding grants and running fundraising campaigns.