Utrecht, 4 October 2023 - Today on World Animal Day, DierenLot Foundation and Royal Jaarbeurs put animal food banks and shelters in the spotlight. Together with well-known TV veterinarian Piet Hellemans and presenter and author of the dog cookbook Happy Dog, Maureen du Toit, the organisations baked tens of thousands of animal biscuits last night, which were then distributed by animal ambulances across the country. Maureen du Toit: "Actually, every day is Animal Day as far as I'm concerned but very good that we really give it some thought once a year! Not just to pamper animals extra but especially to remember those animals that are not doing well."
Growing need for support for furry four-legged friends
With over 40 pet food banks spread across the country, there is a growing need to support the furry four-legged friends of people who are struggling financially. For the organisers of About Cats & Dogs, the animal event taking place at Jaarbeurs on 11 and 12 November, the reason to roll up their sleeves to support animal food banks in collaboration with DierenLot Foundation. Main sponsor Prins Petfoods also donated 300 kilos of cat food for the campaign. Anneroos Jongenelen of DierenLot Foundation: "It is of course super that on Animal Day something is done for animals that do not have a warm home or live in a family where it is not possible to just buy a present for Animal Day. We think it's great that there is some extra attention for these animals in this way."
Animal ambulances full of treats for dogs and cats
Last night at 4am, volunteers from DierenLot Foundation and the About Cats & Dogs fair organisers gathered in the kitchen of Jaarbeurs. Animal ambulances took the biscuits past animal food banks and shelters. Frank van Dogterom of the animal food bank was hugely surprised: "Animal food banks are very important in keeping people and animals together. A lack of resources should not be the reason why an animal can no longer be with its owner. An animal has a very social function. Especially also for combating loneliness. This is precisely why I am enormously pleased that both DierenLot Foundation and Jaarbeurs are paying extra attention today to animals that desperately need it."
Additional information
About the About Cats & Dogs event
On 11 and 12 November, the second edition of the dog and cat event About Cats & Dogs will take place at Royal Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. During About Cats & Dogs, dog and cat lovers will attend informative sessions. About interesting research results, new food brands, accessories and grooming products, among other things. In addition, visitors will receive personal advice on dealing with dogs and cats. Click here for more information about About Cats & Dogs.
