Santa Paws on his way for Banbury's pets

The appeal, which runs until Christmas Eve, is raising money to help pay for the Banbury Animal Rescue and Kindness Service's essential vet bills and care costs over the festive period.

Allan Maxwell, store manager at Pets at Home Banbury, said: “We’re proud and excited to be raising money for B.A.R.K.S as part of this year’s Santa Paws appeal, and we hope our customers and the people of Banbury will get involved and support us with our fundraising.

“We have ambitious fundraising plans, and every donation will go towards helping a rescue pet in need.”

The store team at Banbuury Pets at Home will be joining other Pets At Home stores across the UK, which will be raising funds for their own local rescue centres.

Customers can support the Santa Paws appeal by simply donating at store tills.

Amy Wilson, Support Adoption For Pets fundraising manager, said: “Every year we are amazed by the generosity of Pets at Home customers and pet owners, and we are delighted to be able to launch the Santa Paws appeal once again.

“We hope that people will spare a moment’s thought for those pets who sadly find themselves without a home for Christmas this year. Every donation helps, and giving as little as just 50p can make a huge difference to a rescue pet.

“It is our mission to ensure that no pet in a rescue centre gets forgotten about, not just at Christmas but all year round, and we’re pleased that our Charity of the Year program has allowed rehoming centres across the UK to raise awareness of their work and the pets in their care who are looking for a loving forever home.”

The Santa Paws appeal marks the final fundraising event of 2019 for Support Adoption For Pets, which launched its Charity of the Year program earlier this year.

Over the course of the year, rescue centres across the UK have been building close relationships with their local Pets at Home stores, working together to raise vital funds for the rescues, kicking off with a Summer Fundraiser, which raised more than £683,000 in May and June.

The Charity of the Year program has provided a unique opportunity for rescues to raise awareness of their work in the local community, with the Santa Paws appeal offering one final fundraising drive during the festive season.

In 2006 Pets at Home established the charity Support Adoption For Pets. Since then it has helped more than 1,000 rehoming centres and animal welfare organisations across the UK. In addition to its fundraising, it also runs dedicated adoption centres in Pets at Home stores.

To find out more about Support Adoption For Pets or to support the charity visit: www.supportadoptionforpets.co.uk/santa-paws/.