Pet store steps in with donation for struggling animal charity Generous £600 a ‘big surprise’ and ‘much appreciated’

GRATITUDE:

An Angus charity which helps rehome unwanted animals is struggling because of a drop in donations this year.

Help for Abandoned Animals, which is based in Arbroath, has been operating for 30 years.

The organisation’s unpaid volunteers help house unwanted animals which need a new place to live.

The group also pays for vet bills when needed and volunteers raise money to help buy goods for local animal sanctuaries.

Help for Abandoned Animals works in conjunction with other pet charities including Brown Street Kennels in Dundee, Angus Cat Rescue and Animal Rescue Arbroath.

However, the charity has seen a fall in donations from the public.

Secretary Sandra Boyle said: “We have been struggling a bit. There is more money going out now than there is coming in.

“We rely totally on fundraising. We often have a trolley in the local supermarket but this year we haven’t been able to.”

Sandra believes one of the reasons behind the lack of donations is that there are so many other charities and people in need.

Another concern, she said, is the increasing number of cats and kittens being brought in.

She said having pets neutered might reduce the number being abandoned and ending up with the charity.

Sandra said that people who can no longer look after a pet and advertise them on websites as “free to a good home” should ensure they check out the potential new homes.

The secretary said Help for Abandoned Animals was delighted to have received a donation from the Pet Food Store, based in Dundee’s Kilspindie Road.

The store handed over £600, which was collected over the last year by customers donating small change.

Sandra added: “It was a big surprise – and very much appreciated.

“We are extremely grateful to the Pet Food Store for this donation.”

Help for Abandoned Animals raises money through running bookstalls and public collections. It is also occasionally left money by members of the public through their wills.

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We have been struggling a bit. There is more money going out now than there is coming in. SANDRA BOYLE

Anne and Brian Terry from the Pet Food Store hand over the £600 to Sandra Boyle from Help for Abandoned Animals. Also pictured is Kita. Picture: Gareth Jennings.