A WEST Yorkshire business has launched a new initiative to help support independent animal rescues both locally and across the UK.

Teddy Rescue, based in Liversedge, offers personalised teddy bears.

For every teddy bear purchased, the company has pledged to donate 10 per cent of the proceeds to independent animal rescues across the UK. 

It comes after RSPCA figures showed cases of animals being dumped in West Yorkshire have risen sharply since the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.

"The latest RSPCA report is alarming and deeply concerns us," said Teddy Rescue co-founder, Chris Moorhouse.

"Our aim is to provide essential financial support to these organisations, helping them manage the growing number of animals in their care during these challenging times.

"Our mission at Teddy Rescue is simple yet impactful.

"We want to offer our customers a meaningful way of gift-giving, while also contributing to a cause close to our hearts – animal welfare.

"Each teddy bear sold is essentially, two gifts in one."