A group in Auckland, New Zealand, is preparing to launch a petfood bank and has stepped up before it's opening to help those affected by the Canterbury, New Zealand, earthquake.

Paw Justice Pet Food Bank will officially launch at the Champ Wag 'n' Walk dog walk and fun day in Auckland, September 26, but co-founders Craig Dunn and Shaughan Campbell are distributing petfood from Heinz Wattie's Ltd., with help from Mainfreight/Dailyfreight, to animal shelters in Christchurch, New Zealand. Heinz Wattie's has donated several pallets of Chef cat food and premium Nutri+Plus dog kibble.

Paw Justice Pet Food Bank will distribute food to animal shelters and food banks across the nation.

Additional Champ Wag 'n' Walk dog walk and fun days will be held October 31 in Wellington, New Zealand, and December 4 in Christchurch.