The housebuilder donated food and £500 to the charity, which looks after more than a 1000 stray dogs and cats every year and delivers much-needed pet supplies to food banks across Scotland.

EDCH, which is based in Seafield Road, set up a Pet Food Bank in 2019 and extended its services to human food banks after learning that struggling families were sacrificing vital groceries to feed their animals.

Derek Stewart-Brown from EDCH explained: “It was heartbreaking to hear of mums and dads who were giving up their own meals from the food bank so they could feed their children and their pets.

“Since our campaign began in 2019, we have given out 37 tonnes of food; supported 40,796 pets and given out 398,000 meals to pets.

“We started by delivering a few boxes of pet food to one food bank and are now supplying 83 from Falkirk to the Lothians and the Borders. We would much rather pets stay in a loving home with their family than have to come to a shelter like ours and be rehomed.”

Lisa Archibald, head of sales for Dandara East Scotland, said: “We know times are very tight for so many people, and it is awful to think of families having to give up their precious pets every year because they simply cannot afford to feed them.

“Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home does an incredible job and provides a real lifeline to animals and their owners. I am so proud of our charity committee for organising this donation and so thankful to everyone who lent their support.”

Lindsay Fyffe Jardine, chief executive of EDCH, added: “We are so grateful for this generous gift from Dandara, we rely on donations from sponsors to keep our vital services running. With the financial crisis, there has never been more need for support.”