Animal rescue shelters across the Central West have been taking in more and more working dogs due to farmers no longer being able to afford to feed them because of the drought.
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Canobolas Family Pet Hospital and Ashcroft's Supa IGA are partnering in a donation drive so farmers can feed and keep their dogs.
Vet nurse Cass Scurrah said the veterinary hospital is seeking donations of dog food to be delivered to Trundle and Tullamore.
"The pounds and rescue groups, even out here but out west more, are seeing an increase in working dogs, mainly kelpies and the main reason for this is the farmers cannot afford to feed them," Ms Scurrah said.
"If we can get the food out to them they can feed their dogs and other pets as well and hopefully they won't have to make that decision quite as quickly.
"We work with rescue groups, we've seen a rise in the number of kelpies that come through here. It's been gradually increasing but in the last few months it's been more noticeable."
Ms Scurrah said Ashcroft's Supa IGA was running a wider drought appeal and the items would be distributed by principals from Trundle and Tullamore central schools.
"We were thinking about doing something and we saw IGA was doing something," Ms Scurrah said.
"It's close enough that we can deliver it easily but they are also areas that have been very drought affected for a long time and they are areas in need.
"We just hope we can help the farmers out so they can keep their dogs.
"If they keep their dogs that takes a bit of pressure off the rescue groups too."
The pet hospital is open seven days a week and people can drop off donated dog food until December 12.
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