Royal
Canin and Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) are highlighting the plight
of animal rescues, animal charities and pet food banks who are struggling due
to the pandemic. COVID restrictions halted fundraising so many saw their
incomes dramatically reduced. Although the end of lockdown is now in sight,
many rescues’ finances are in dire straits after over a year of restrictions.
The Association
of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) represents 153 rescues and charities across the
UK and Ireland. ADCH surveyed its members three times during the pandemic to
assess the impact of Coronavirus on the rescue sector. It found that animal
rescue centres had lost up to half their income during the Coronavirus pandemic
and many had downsized their staffing due to funding pressures though no rescue
has yet had to close.
Giles Webber,
Chair of ADCH said “We knew from our surveys that rescues
were finding it difficult with the closure of shelters and outside
fundraising events so ADCH immediately set up a grant system that distributed
54 grants to struggling rescues totalling over £300,000. Whilst many
organisations had to downsize their staff levels, we are delighted that none so
far have closed which is testament to their resilience and the hard work
of ADCH.”
royal Canin has
supplied over £200,000 of food to over 250 rescues and food banks – big and
small – across the UK and Ireland during the last year to help them through the
challenging times.
Suzy Roffey, National
Sales Manager PRO, Royal Canin said, “All of us at Royal Canin are so
proud to be able to support these rescues that work so hard to care for and
rehome abandoned pets. We know what a difficult time it has been for them and
are pleased we could help. We’ve also been supporting animal food banks to
support pet owners that have struggled financially during the pandemic so they
don’t have to surrender their much-loved pets to rescues, which are already
under huge pressure at the moment.”
