Johannesburg - The devastating Covid-19 pandemic has left scores of pets being surrendered to animal rescue organisations as their owners are feeling the financial impacts of the global health crisis.
In a bid to alleviate some of the financial burden being placed on shelters as they witness an influx of pets in their care, Mars Petcare has launched the Buy One, Feed One campaign. The initiative will see a meal being donated to a furry friend in need for every Pedigree or Whiskas product purchased.
“We have seen the number of abandoned pets increase over the last two years, and understanding the additional layer of stress that this has placed on the sanctuaries, we would like to play our part in supporting them through our Buy One, Feed One campaign,” Marketing Director at Mars Petcare Andi Wright explained.
He noted research conducted by The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWSSA), which reported a 100% increase in the rate of surrendered cats and kittens between October and November 2021.
The AWSSA also found that the rate of surrendered dogs and puppies increased by 23% in October 2021, with a further spike of 55% that November.
Wright said that The MARS Petcare Buy One, Feed One campaign would take place in April and May and run across all product ranges at leading supermarkets and retailers countrywide.
“Mars Petcare would like to encourage all pet parents to support by purchasing Pedigree or Whiskas products to feed not only their fur babies but also a friend in need,” he said.
He also urged South Africans who are in a position to adopt a pet, to do so in order to help the overburdened sanctuaries that they will be supporting through the Buy One, Feed One campaign.
These include the Woodrock Animal Rescue, Soweto Animals Rescue and Advisory Centre and Domestic Animal Rescue Group (DARG).
“We have seen the number of abandoned pets increase over the last two years, and understanding the additional layer of stress that this has placed on the sanctuaries, we would like to play our part in supporting them through our Buy One, Feed One campaign,” Wright said.