The Yarm branch of Darlington Building Society has become an official donation point for animal charity, the Dogs Trust.
The High Street branch, which has a donation bin just inside its entrance, is encouraging people to drop off anything and everything that a dog would need, such as, tins of dog food, treats, toys and bedding.
The donations will be taken to the nearest Dogs Trust rehoming centre at Sadberge, Darlington which houses around 120 dogs at any given time and finds homes for over 1000 dogs a year.
Around half the dogs at the centre come from people who are unable to continue to look after them, often because of a house move or ill health. The other half are strays that local councils and organisations have been unable to home.
Leading by example, the branch has used money from the Society’s community fund to purchase £50’s worth of gifts from the Dogs Trust’s online Amazon wish list.
Craig Gregory, Branch Manager, said: “We are all dog lovers at the Yarm branch, so we thought it would be fantastic to be able to help dogs who have no owner.
“We chose the Dogs Trust because it does amazing work looking after, training and rehoming dogs that otherwise may be put down.”
Rebecca McKeown, Supporter Relations Officer at Dogs Trust Darlington, said: “It’s fantastic that Darlington Building Society is supporting us in this way.
“When you take into account the cost of the running the rehoming centre and the care involved in every dog, every donation, no matter how small, is very much appreciated. Last year the rehoming centre cared for over 1300 dogs so we have lots of four legged friends to feed, keep happy and keep healthy during their stay.
“If you’re thinking of buying a donation there is a list on our Darlington page on the Dogs Trust website which features some of the items staff think could help our dogs during their stay at the centre.”