A WOMAN is trying to set up a pet foodbank to help others in the position she found herself – struggling to pay for cat food and litter due to increasing prices during the cost-of-living crisis.
Mandy Bisson took on her elderly neighbour’s cat named Sparky the Spitfire many years ago, when he struggled to cope with looking after him.
Before her neighbour died, Ms Bisson made a promise to him to always look after his cat.
True to her word, the 61-year-old has been trying to do so ever since – even when that has meant going without her own necessities.
Despite being on income support due to a cancer diagnosis that left her unable to work, Ms Bisson managed to get by thanks to the help of her neighbour.
But after he passed away, and with the price of cat supplies at shops being double what she says they were two years ago, Ms Bisson has been struggling to buy basics for Sparky – resorting to “using newspaper in the litter tray”.
When she went to social security to ask for help, she claims that they told her to get rid of Sparky – something she says has been stuck in her head “ever since” and upset her so much that she got up and left in tears.
“I don’t think we should be judged,” she said, referring to people who find themselves in a situation similar to hers, whether for health reasons or other circumstances that are beyond their own control.
In these times, pets that can provide comfort during the “lonely” moments, said Ms Bisson.
While keeping a pet comes with a cost, she added it “isn’t a choice” but rather the “cost of loving”. This is what Ms Bisson hopes to name the pet foodbank that she is in the process of applying to set up.
She explained that it will help others in similar situations, such as elderly Islanders she has spoken to who are considering giving up their much-loved pets because of the cost of basics.
A spokesperson for Employment, Social Security and Housing department told the JEP that they are “unable to advise on personal matters” and “would not direct anyone to give away their pet” when asked what someone should do in Ms Bisson’s position.
“We recognise that pets provide significant companionship and emotional support,” they said, adding that those struggling with pet-related costs could turn to the JSPCA Pet Pantry, which is “available subject to the donations they receive”. There is also the Jersey Paws Library and Foodbank.
Ms Bisson is still in the early stages of applying to set up the pet foodbank, but Islanders who wish to lend a helping hand in the future – particularly those who can drive – can contact her on 07700 340162.
