Donation campaigns launched to help shelter animals this year – SPAR makes venues and dates accessible online
Support campaigns for cats and dogs living in shelters will continue in 2024 as part of the cooperation between SPAR Hungary and the National Animal Protection Foundation. Last year, the initiative was successful in collecting 32 000 kg dry food and more than 45 000 cans of canned pet food, among other items.
SPAR Hungary has been helping animal shelters, zoos and wildlife parks in Hungary for more than a decade by donating products that have been taken out of commercial circulation but can still be used for feeding animals. The company has also been organising animal food collection campaigns with Országos Állatvédőrség Alapítvány (National Animal Protection Foundation) for more than 10 years, to support NGOs involved in animal rescue activities. In addition to collecting donations, the aim of the initiative is to raise awareness of responsible pet-keeping and the importance of the work of shelters.
The national campaign is continued this year. Organisations involved in animal rescue can join the collection of donations through the National Animal Protection Foundation which coordinates and schedules the campaign activities. Shoppers in SPAR and INTERSPAR stores can meet the NGOs each month and support their work by donating pet food. To find out where and when the collections are taking place, you can visit the dedicated SPAR online platform available at: www.sparafenntarthatojovoert.hu/mancsabajban
“Unfortunately, in Hungary there are many pets living in appalling conditions, roaming the streets or with irresponsible owners who do not give them attention and love, nor adequate food of sufficient quantity and quality. In many cases, domestic animal shelters are overcrowded with dogs and cats waiting for adoption, and the care of these animals requires a great deal of effort. For them, the pet food collection campaigns of SPAR and National Animal Protection Foundation, launched ten years ago and organised again last year, provide tangible help. We are very grateful to all our customers who have supported the initiative so far and will continue to do so in the future, and of course a huge acknowledgement goes to the animal rescue organisations that are constantly performing extremely important activity on the verge of their strength and possibilities,” said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.
During the 174 donation collection events in 2023, a total of 27 344 kg of dry food, 17 704 pcs of canned food and 1216 dog salami treats were donated to puppies nationwide. And for cats, 27 814 items of canned food and pouches, as well as 4646 kg of dried food were collected. The company and the National Animal Protection Foundation organised the third “Mancs a bajban!” (Paw in trouble!) fundraising campaign in May with support from animal rescue NGOs. During these two days, activists collected almost 9000 kg of dry food and 4500 cans of canned food for dogs, as well as more than 1000 kilograms of dry food and 2500 cans for cats in 35 INTERSPAR hypermarkets across the country. In addition to this, shoppers also contributed to the success of the campaign with donating various pet supplies and cleaning products, and SPAR donated an additional 1 million HUF to the National Animal Protection Foundation.
