Don’t Waste That Autumn Harvest: How to Feed Local Rescue Animals This Season!
2026 - Pumpkins and veg for rescues
As the leaves turn and the pumpkin patches open up, autumn brings plenty of seasonal goodies. But did you know that your surplus seasonal veg and fruit could make a huge difference to local animal rescues?
While pumpkins get all the spotlight this time of year, our local sanctuaries and rescues are also eagerly welcoming other seasonal produce, seeds, and nuts!
Here is everything you need to know about what to collect, what to avoid, and where to drop off your donations.
🎃🍆🍑🍎🥕🥦🍅🥜🌰
What You Can Donate
Whether you have extra garden produce, picked up a bargain at the shop or market, or gathered autumn treats, here is what’s on the menu:
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Pumpkins & Squash: Perfect seasonal treats!
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Root Veg & Veggies: Marrows, carrots, parsnips, and swedes. (Please NO onions, garlic, or leeks, as these are toxic to animals).
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Seasonal Fruit: Crisp apples, pears, and plums.
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Nuts & Seeds: A variety of raw seeds and nuts are always happily received for smaller wildlife and birds.
⚠️A Very Important Rule:
Direct From the Shop or Garden!
To keep the animals safe and healthy, donated items must NOT have passed through a human kitchen or been carved, cut or cooked.
The best items go directly from the shop, farm stand, or garden straight to the rescue. This prevents cross-contamination with oils, salt, seasonings, or other ingredients that could make the animals unwell.
Donate your pumpkins
to animal shelters!
📍Where to Take Your Donations
The following local rescues and sanctuaries would love your support. Whenever possible, dropping items directly to them ensures they can be used straight away:
Addresses:
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Nanna Animal Rescue
Higglety Pigglety Farm, Irthlingborough Bypass, Irthlingborough, Northants, NN9 5UF -
Animals in Need Northamptonshire
Pine Tree Farm, London Road, Little Irchester, Wellingborough, NN8 2EH -
Broom Farm Animal Sanctuary
Brook Farm Cottage, Brooks Road, Raunds, Northants, NN9 6NS -
Redhead Rescue Animal Sanctuary
Finedon, Northamptonshire
🦔 Heading to a local hedgehog rescue?
Our local hedgehog rescues will also gladly accept suitable veg, along with any cat food (meat in jelly or dry biscuits are great) or hedgehog-specific food.
Drop-off Points & Getting in Touch
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1 |
Direct Delivery:Ideally, head straight to the rescues and sanctuaries listed above. |
| 2 |
Local Collection Points:For those less long-distance mobile, you can drop your veg off at our collection points in Kettering and Corby. |
| 3 |
Questions?If you are ever unsure about a drop-off or whether an item is suitable, feel free to contact us directly and we’ll be happy to help or will point you to the right place! |
| 4 |
Spread the wordDon't forget to share your pumpkin collection photos with us on social media using the hashtag #PumpkinCollection2026 #FeedTheAnimals #WeHelpAnimals |
Thank y
Huge thank you to all the kind people that have dropped off pumpkins for our animals including this wonderful haul from the kind people from We Help Animals in Northamptonshire
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Why donate your pumpkin?
Donating pumpkins is a great way to help animals in need. Pumpkins are a nutritious and delicious treat for many animals, including pigs, goats, and cows. Shelters often struggle to provide enough food for their residents, so your donation will make a big difference.
- Reduce food waste: Pumpkins are a valuable food source for animals, and donating them helps to reduce food waste.
- Help the environment: Donating pumpkins helps to reduce the amount of organic waste that goes to landfills.
- Improve animal health: Pumpkins are a nutritious and healthy treat for animals.
- Support local animal shelters: The proceeds from the pumpkin collection will go to support local animal shelters.
Additional information:
- The pumpkin collection is a great way to get involved in your community and make a positive impact.
- It is also a fun and educational activity for children.
- By donating your pumpkins, you can help to make the Halloween season more enjoyable for everyone, including animals!
Donate your pumpkins
to animal shelters!
Conclusion
We hope you'll join us in supporting the pumpkin collection this year!
Your donation will help to make a difference in the lives of the animals at the shelters.
P.S. Don't forget to share your pumpkin collection photos with us on social media using the hashtag #PumpkinCollection2026 and #FeedTheAnimals / #WeHelpAnimals.
Thank you for your support!
Check out our previous PUMPKIN COLLECTIONs
THANK YOU SO MUCH 
Absolutely amazing. 💪
Review Us On Google
If you love our initiative to help animals in Northamptonshire shelters and rescues
why not leave us a review?
Simply use this link (Google Review) and leave your review.
Thank you.
Reviews give us visibility and boost confidence in our work.
