ANIMAL RESCUE CENTRES FACE STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE
FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP
Vital animal rescue centres across Renfrewshire have launched desperate appeals for donations to keep them afloat during the coronavirus lockdown.
Worried volunteers fear they will struggle to look after the animals in their care if they don’t get support from the public soon.
Community farms, cat and dog rescue centres and bird sanctuaries are all facing an uncertain future due to mounting bills, with the pandemic quarantine look likely to last months rather than weeks.
But bosses at the centres say they are confident in the generosity of people supporting them and called on them to help where they can.
Rachel Anderson, from the Royalheart Greyhound Rescue, in Langbank, said organisations looking after animals have been hit hard by the crisis and money is running out.
She said: “We were totally unprepared for this. No small rescue has a huge amount of reserves in the bank – we could really do with some help.
“Any donations of money, food or blankets would be gratefully received.
“We have a kennel full of homeless dogs, who will need to be looked after while the crisis is going on.
“Who knows when people will be in a position to actually want to adopt a dog again?
“It’s tragic for us all. Please help. We can’t do this without the community getting behind us.”
Hootennany Owls sanctuary, in Langbank, is running low on food for the more than 30 birds housed there and, with chicks on the way, the problem will become worse in the coming weeks, its owner has warned.
Donna Pickett, from the organisation, said: “We have been struggling to get food for the birds and we are now relying solely on donations as any source of income we had has dried up.
“We used to make a bit of money from Hawk Walks and letting people hold the birds, but that is all gone, so we are struggling.
“All sanctuaries are the same at the moment. Just now, all the birds are happy and healthy so we are OK, but as this goes on it will become more and more difficult.
“If anyone can spare a few pounds that would be really helpful.
“We have a Paypal account,
Any donations of money, food or blankets would be gratefully received
which is hootenannyowls@btinternet.com if people want to help.”
Paisley Cat Rescue’s Annette Easdon also urged people to help where they can and look out for any stray cats that may need fed.
She added: “We raise money for vets’ bills and things, but we know people will be struggling to look after the animals at the moment.
“If you can give to an animal rescue charitym it would be a huge help.
“Hopefully, when this is all over, we will be holding car boot sales and raising money again and I would ask people to support us then.
“It is good for people to know we are still here and will help where we can.”
Lamont Farm, in Erskine, and Johnstone Cat Rescue are also looking for help to look after animals during the lockdown.
To offer your support, contact the charities through Facebook.