A Penryn resident has set up a new scheme called "Preventing Pet Poverty."

The idea behind it is that people with unwanted pet items can donate them to be picked up, dropped off at various locations and used by somebody else.

Nicola Congdon came up with the idea for the fundraising scheme, Nicola was a participant on the CHAOS Positive People Project, and has completed a placement on the CHAOS farm.

The CHAOS Group and the Positive People Project offer a variety of services designed to help people get where they want to be and break barriers.

Nicola Congdon told Nub News:

"I was doing a radio slot on CHAOS Online Radio every Tuesday called the Creature Feature show which is all about animals. My co-host is a chip a dachshund and is training to be my therapy dog.

"I have a whole history with animals, I finished my masters in Zoo Conservation Biology, and I am working towards my animal-assisted therapy practitioner qualification. I was having guests on the show from various charities so I was thinking about how we could help them.

"I came up with the idea for a campaign to raise awareness on pet poverty, but also ask people for donations for things that they have in their cupboards. Collars, leads, harnesses, bedding, coats, toys, food. They can be for any animal."

The project will support individuals and their pets as well as charities, including Street Vets, Sue's Cat Rescue in St Day, Marias Small Animal Shelter at Probus and Paws and Prickles Hedgehog Rescue at Newquay.

Nicola added:

"We are trying to get as many donations as we can I have a small animal rescue of my own with many unwanted or abandoned animals so I know how much it costs to buy the items.

"Once the lockdown is over we are going to look at having some local drop off points in Cornwall, at the moment we are saying if you have any items that you no longer need and you have got time to clear