Outside Ambition Lawrence Weston community centre, people line up with their dogs on leads and stop to grab a free hot drink and snack under the blue gazebo. It's a cold and windy day in Bristol but the atmosphere is warming and cheerful, with volunteers and charity staff welcoming familiar faces inside the building.
Once a year, Bristol Animal Rescue Centre unites with Bristol Paws Project to set up a vaccine drive to support the city's pet owners on benefits or low incomes who cannot afford to vaccinate their pets. This year, more than 100 people are on the waiting list to speak to vets and University of Bristol veterinary students about their worries for their cats and dogs.
I meet volunteers Shelley and Ceinwyn at the entrance, who are handing out free bags of dog food and cat litter as well as bedding and plastic crates.
Shelly tells me: "Lots of people I've spoken to today have said they wouldn't be able to keep their pets if it wasn't for this.
"It's heartbreaking that so many households are not putting the heating on or cutting down on their food to make sure their pets stay alive.
"We're here to help. It really is a lifeline for pets and we don't judge anyone."
The animal charity runs two outreach clinics every week in Knowle West and Lawrence Weston, so lots of visitors know leading veterinary nurse Victoria Oates by name.
Victoria waits at the entrance with a clipboard, frantically making sure everything runs smoothly to help as many people as possible.
"There's no where else like this in the area. There's been an outbreak of parvovirus in dogs in Bristol so it's really important to get vaccinated," Victoria explains
"Many clients that have come in today also came last year, so essentially we're just topping up their immunity.
"But a lot of them are new and we're noticing a huge increase in the amount of people that need help.
"Our outreach services have been more in demand than ever before.
"Families are struggling to put food on the table for themselves, let alone look after their pets."
Victoria set up the vaccine drive back in 2019 and it's become a safe haven for anxious pet owners who struggle to pay insurance bills and vet costs.
While vet Mel Brooks and veterinary student Victoria Challes check on two-year-old bulldog Bruno, I speak to his owner Ashley Goudou, who had brought all four of his dogs in.
"If the centre wasn't here, I'd have to work two jobs. I would choose to do that and put the pets first," he says.
"Without their donations and food, it wouldn't be possible. But I don't want to take too much because some people are worse off than me."
There are separate spaces for cats and dogs to get treated as well as two rooms dedicated to staff giving vaccines - many of them are helping out without being paid a penny.
Veterinary surgeon Dr Damian Pacini is called to aid a dog who is having a sudden fit, moments after telling me how the clinic "couldn't be more important" for pets.
"Our outreach work in the community helps vulnerable animals and ensures owners facing financial hardship can continue to care for their pets at home," he says.
Communications manager Gina Jones explains that the number of outreach visitors has doubled in the last year - and the team forecasts an even bigger leap over the winter months.
As I head back out, the corridor is full of "thank yous" and praises from people of all ages and backgrounds sharing their appreciation for Victoria's amazing team.
If you'd like to donate to Bristol Animal Rescue Centre you can visit their website or join the join the group of volunteers who help out.
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