The ‘Be the Change’ animal shelter is offering a helping hand to residents of the Onkaparinga Council area who are struggling with the cost of pet foods.

The new Southern Four Paws Foodbank will provide a week’s worth of animal food to struggling residents who hold a student card or are in receipt of a financial payment from the government.

The shelter’s operators say they are acutely aware of how rising cost of living expenses and a lack of housing affordability are severely impacting a number of pet owners.

They say they have heard many stories of people who have been forced to vacate their homes due to the landlord selling the property and who have been unable to find another rental in a similar price bracket or where animals are allowed.

The shelter is receiving a high number of requests from help from people who are sleeping rough with their pets, couch surfing or living in caravan parks or sheds and say the number of animal surrenders is at the highest rate in the charity’s 11 year history.

The week’s worth of food will be delivered on Tuesdays anywhere within the City of Onkaparinga, including to tents and caravans.

The shelter is funding an initial 35 foodpacks and has set up a gofundme appeal to provide further help.

If you know someone who would benefit from the Four Paws Food Bank please contact Be The Change.