TWO local animal charities have benefited from the generosity of Andover shoppers and staff at Pets at Home.

The Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital and the local branch of the Greyhound Rescue were presented with cheques totalling £1,048 from a month’s fundraising drive.

Nationally, Pets at Home stores raised £174,000 during its fundraising drives, with all the money being donated to more than 450 local animal rescues across the UK.

Store manager Mark Bladen from Pets at Home Andover said: “We can’t thank our customers enough for their generosity.“ Even in today’s climate, people are still prepared to dig deep and donate what they can.”

Judy Fowler, a volunteer at Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to Pets at Home.

“Mark and his staff have been fantastic and really enthusiastic.

“We totally depend on donations from companies and the public, so what we’ve received today is going to be useful.”

In addition, there are dedicated Adoption Centres in more than 280 of Pets at Home’s 320 stores across the UK.

These centres are home to a range of pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and other small animals, and all are looking for a second chance of happiness, often due to a change in their owner’s circumstances.