Volunteers to take over after trolls shut rescue centre
AN ANIMAL rescue centre is to undergo a complete change of ownership after three years of abuse from online “trolls”.
Bridgend Animal Rescue Centre (Barc) announced on Monday that it was to close its doors on Sunday, citing a campaign of cyberbullying behind the decision and adding that its staff “had to put their wellbeing first”.
However, it’s now been revealed that the rescue will instead be taken over by a group of its supporters “completely independent” of its current set-up and moved to a new location.
“We are so sad to announce this but unfortunately we have no choice,” read the initial closure statement on Facebook.
“The rescue has been under attack for the last three years and can’t survive the constant trolling. Staff have to put their wellbeing first.”
But, in an email yesterday, Barc’s managing director Rebecca Lloyd added: “Our wonderful supporters were saddened and outraged with what has been happening and have made the decision to take over the rescue themselves.
“It will not be run from our premises or by our staff. It will be completely independent of us.
“We will however offer any assistance they need and donate all our equipment, paperwork and all other rescue related possessions to them. We wish them the best of luck and would like to extend our thanks and best wishes for the future to our rescue staff.
“We have facilitated adoptions for all our animals before October 31 and the new owners will operate from there on.”
Set up in 2018 as a foster service for the pets of people who’d been hospitalised and were no longer able to care for them, Barc came under fire earlier this month after advertising its animals as being available for £85-a-time “pet parties”.
The idea, which offered up a selection of “healthy, happy” rescue pets as entertainment during kids’ birthday bashes, was met with an angry reaction from some animal lovers – despite the centre’s reassurances that they were licensed and insured.
All proceeds raised would also have gone towards funding the facility and the treatment it provides to the 100 or so creatures it rescues and rehomes each year. The centre later went on to clarify that the “pet parties” would only involve animals which belonged to staff and volunteers, all of which had been “fully assessed”.
Nevertheless, the criticism saw one Barc staff member take to social media to declare her dedication to her “often very thankless job” and to slam the trolls.
“I have done everything to make sure these animals are well, happy and looked after,” she wrote.
“Yes, I am human an few little mistakes have been made along the way – a missed microchip, the wrong choice of new home, an escaped cat – but I have done my utmost to make these right.”
She slammed those who “fabricate stories and make it their life to discredit and ruin rescues”, adding that she’s driven by a love of animals, not financial reward.
“£150 a week is what I’d get working part-time in a shop – with no stress, abuse or bullying,” she added.
“Trolling should be illegal. There’s only so much a person can take.”