Durban feeding network helps feed pets during pandemic

A LOCAL pet lover has come up with an initiative to help people who are unable to afford to feed their pets during the difficult economic climate.

Cyan Brown developed the Furkid Feeding Network, which has garnered support from the community who have seen the need for this initiative.

.Speaking about the project, Cyan said she had always had a true passion for animals.

“I don’t have children of my own so my pets are my furkids. It all started when I decided to volunteer doing the social media for a rescue organisation outside of Ballito. I started to see pleas from pet owners asking for food for the pets about a month into lockdown. More and more started pouring in every day from all over KZN. The shelter could barely cope with their own 100 plus rescues so I started helping people in my own private capacity,” she said.

Cyan said very quickly she realised this was an area that needed more attention because of the financial difficulties that people were having during lockdown.

She said: “People don’t plan for a pandemic that will put them out of work for months. So what are these people’s options? Surrender their pet to overwhelmed shelters and SPCAs or keep them in a loving home and just ask for a helping hand. These people love their pets and just need help, for a month or two, to feed their pets.”

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Hence, the Furkid Feeding Network was born. Cyan gathered a network of volunteers in various areas, some of whom run their own organisations, and together they organise food for pets all over Durban.

“I raise funds and pay from my own pocket while volunteers organise buying and getting the food to the people who need it. There is Jackie Salter in Queensburgh, Tracey Morrison in Montclair and Zoenita Pillay in Phoenix, just to name a few. We are all involved in animal welfare and all work together to get this right. There are some days we can spend over R2 000 on food so even though I use most of my own income donations are imperative to keep feeding these voiceless victims,” she said.

If you would like to help, you can order food from Mypet.co.za for the group. Cyan said they deliver for free. Email Cyan at furkidfeedingnetwork@gmail.com and she will give you an address to send to.

Find the group on Facebook (Furkid Feeding Network) and see photos of all the happy pets that are being helped.

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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.

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