A dog food bank has been set up near Norwich amid a rise in the number of pets being given up for adoption due to the cost of living crisis.  

Volunteers at Sprowston Community Garden started the service after noticing that people coming to its vegetable food bank were struggling to feed their pets.  

It comes after a survey by Pets4Home found that one in 10 UK pet owners are considering giving up their companions due to financial pressures.  

Norwich Evening News: Volunteers at Sprowston Community Garden have set up a food bank for struggling pet ownersVolunteers at Sprowston Community Garden have set up a food bank for struggling pet owners (Image: Bev Townsend)

The dog food bank in Sprowston is called Tim’s Tins and is named after the pooch owned by Lin McFadden, who originally started the vegetable bank. 

Bev Townsend, a volunteer at the community garden, said: "People are struggling with food bills and living costs generally and pet food prices have increased too. 

"The animal shelters are overflowing with pets that people can no longer afford to keep, some shelters are having to turn pets away. 

Norwich Evening News: Tim inspired the volunteers at Sprowston Community Graden to start up a pet food bankTim inspired the volunteers at Sprowston Community Graden to start up a pet food bank (Image: Bev Townsend)

“A pet can often be a 15-year commitment so when someone's personal circumstances change and they struggle to fulfil that commitment it is stressful." 

Pride Animal Rescue in Diss has been inundated with unwanted pets in recent weeks and has seen animals dumped at its doorstep as people struggle with rising costs. 

And last month the West Norfolk RSPCA Rehoming Centre near King’s Lynn said its waiting list for owners having to give up their pets was getting “progressively worse”.  

Norwich Evening News: Puppies at the West Norfolk RSPCA Rehoming Centre at Eau Brink, near King's Lynn. (Image: West Norfolk RSPCA Rehoming Centre)Puppies at the West Norfolk RSPCA Rehoming Centre at Eau Brink, near King's Lynn. (Image: West Norfolk RSPCA Rehoming Centre) (Image: RSPCA King's Lynn)

Another pet food bank has also been set up at the Cactus Café Bar in Magdalen Street by Theresa Casaccio and her husband after they adopted a dog from a rescue centre.  

Mrs Casaccio added: "There has been a definite increase in the number of people reaching out and needing help.

"Knowing how important pets are for our mental health, it would be devastating for me to not be able to care for them any longer, hence why I do this."