A WEEKEND event raising vital funds for the RSPCA to help tackle animal cruelty will take place at Pets at Home stores in Chippenham and Trowbridge.

Launching on today (February 22) and running until Sunday, Pets at Home is inviting customers to visit the store and donate to support local animals in need.

Pets at Home customers will have the opportunity to donate 50p at the checkout, as well as support local branch activity which will all help the animal welfare charity to continue to create a world that is kinder to animals and give animals a second chance.

Colleagues at more than 400 Pets at Home stores across England and Wales are all rising to the challenge to raise as much money as possible to help the charity continue its vital work, ensuring all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Chippenham store manager, Mark Brimson, said: “The whole team at our store is geared up and ready to raise as much money as possible to help the RSPCA reach their fundraising target.

“To know that this money will go towards supporting fantastic rescue centres who work to help unwanted and abandoned pets is a real motivator to do the best we can. We’re calling for all local pet owners and animal lovers to get onboard and donate whatever they can to this important cause.”

Sarah Colberg, senior corporate partnerships manager at the RSPCA said: “Our branches do an amazing job from fundraising and events, to helping poorly animals through our clinics and finding homes for those animals who have often been through the worst cases of neglect and abuse.

“All of this is possible thanks to the hard work of volunteers and generous donations from local people. We hope that throughout the weekend animal lovers will support their local RSPCA branch and ensure this amazing work continues.”

More than 70 stores will also be hosting RPSCA volunteers who will provide more insight into the vital work the charity does. For more information visit www.rspca.org.uk.