Wexford’s strays are being looked after during Covid-19 crisis
THE show must go on for animal welfare charities across county Wexford, and both Wexford SPCA and Gorey’s North Wexford SPCA have now adapted to the new reality while continuing to protect themselves and Wexford’s lost and abandoned animals.
Brigid Cullen of Wexford SPCA said that from the start of the outbreak of Covid-19, it was decided to close the kennels to the general public to limit social interactions.
This now leaves Brigid herself looking after the dogs in the centre’s care, but she is glad of the company in these challenging times.
‘ The majority of the breeds we had in the kennels were big dogs, large Shepard breeds and although we did have offers from people to take them and foster them, we had to be very careful where they went.
‘ The season that we’re in, we’d need to be careful where they go as they could go after the sheep. They’d need to go to someone who knows the breed and at the moment we can’t do home checks and therefore can’t inspect where the dogs would go’.
Next on the agenda for Wexford SPCA would be the annual flag day, due to take place in May.
‘ That event would usually bring in around 2,000 people and if it was to go, we’d feel it. At the moment as the shop is closed, financially we’re going to be in big trouble as we aren’t getting donations in. The rates cancellation is a bit of a help, but we have to pay the rent.
‘But hopefully when this is all over, people will be so glad that we’re back open they will come in to visit and donate. Hopefully we’ll get going again’.
Brigid is in constant contact with other centres, something Joe Murray of North Wexford SPCA said is vital at this time.
‘Normally we have a full calendar of events, from pub quizzes to sponsored walks, but they are all gone. Our fundraising window is collapsing and squeezed, but we are one of the oldest SPCAs and we are keeping in touch with Wexford and Dublin, we are all in the same boat.
‘We might do a fundraiser via Facebook, but we’re conscious that there are other charities in need, some that are helping tackle the crisis’.
Closing the shop at the centre was a difficult decision to make for North
Wexford SPCA.
‘We are going to get hit as the shop is the main source of funds, we closed it when we saw that the shop was two small to maintain the two metre distance. As we aren’t taking in dogs, our vet bill have fallen but we still need to provide food and bedding, those are ongoing costs. We are still getting in the odd donations, but as a committee we will need to have a serious think about how we’ll rebuild back up, but we’re hopeful that the reserve money will see us through.
‘Closing the shop and our centre was something we thought long and hard about, but the response has been fantastic though everyone is understanding so it’s support we’re getting not criticism.
‘Foster families have stepped up to the mark, as suddenly we had no volunteers to help us as we aren’t picking up strays, the dog warden is doing brilliantly. We had a massive response to an online appeal for families, and people were offering before we even had to ask. So all of our animals are in foster homes bar one cat and dog, who both need medical attention. But there are a few dozen people still offering, who say they can now as they’re at home all the time.
‘But it’s true that like everybody, every night you’re afraid thinking hopefully we’ll come through this, and a dog or a cat can keep your spirits up. We were getting calls from people at the start panicking asking if the virus was transmitted through animals, which it’s not.
‘People have come on board and fostered the dogs and cats, but we not taking in any animals only what’s sick and injured as our emergency line is still open.
‘For people at home, this might be an opportunity to spend time with your animal and although you can’t socialise, you can go out for your walk early’.
Joe had some further tips for owners at home with their pets during this time.
‘I’d suggest looking up websites and YouTube videos on what to do with your pets. Dogs need exercise, but you need to be careful and conscious of where we exercise.
‘We’ve seen a lot of people out walking their dogs, which is good but dogs may not be used to it as now suddenly every member of the family is walking them. Pets will be loving the attention but if you are exercising them a lot, maybe up the food but on the other hand if dogs aren’t getting out for a walk, it’s important to keep them entertained. I would suggest getting a lick mat to keep dogs focused’.
WITH hundreds of its service users confined to their homes due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Wexford branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) is carrying out house visits across the county.
The organisation has also set up an emergency response team to continue to reach people with disabilities who may become sick with the coronavirus.
Caroline Lacey, Service Manager, Wexford, said: ‘ This is a very worrying time for people who use our services and are dependent on our assistance to allow them to remain living safely in their own homes.
‘Many of them are aware that due to their disability they are extremely vulnerable to Covid-19. Members of our community outreach and assisted living teams are committed to reaching the most vulnerable during this very difficult time.’
In addition to helping with vital everyday tasks such as personal care, cooking and household chores, the outreach team are shopping on behalf of service users, collecting prescriptions, providing transport to banks and post offices, helping them to pay online bills and assisting them to apply for welfare payments.
Just as important, they are making social visits to those in isolation where possible, calling for a chat or contacting them on the phone if a home visit is not possible.
And the Wexford team are fully aware of the mental challenges a crisis like this brings for those with physical disabilities.
‘Activities that would usually take place in our community centres are being brought to people’s homes, such as arts and crafts,’ explained Caroline.
‘We are developing an online physical and mental wellness package, so people can access low-impact exercise classes and mindfulness tools to help people stay well physically and mentally as the crisis takes hold.
‘ The new emergency response team will act as a third layer of support following family and the HSE, if one of our service users has to go into self-isolation.’
However, the IWA has, like so many others, been hit where it hurts by the coronavirus, and been forced to postpone its nationwide fundraising activities and close its network of charity shops.
In addition it has had to lay off staff members temporarily. The charity supports 4,000 people with physical disabilities every week in Ireland across a spectrum of needs and is now appealing to the public for support.
‘Each year the IWA needs to raise €2 million over and above our HSE funding to keep our vital services running,’ said Caroline. ‘We’re asking people to make a donation, if they can afford to.’