Skeleton crew is keeping pets safe
MANY organisations have been severely affected by the UK’s current lockdown.
The measures in place are absolutely necessary to keep people as safe as possible, support our amazing NHS and hopefully overcome coronavirus as soon as possible to stop it destroying lives.
While understanding the necessity of current measures, we can still recognise how difficult it’s been for businesses, charities and any other initiative which relies on the physical presence of people to keep going.
Included in this category is Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, a leading charity for rescuing and rehoming animals.
Usually it rescues an average of seven animals every day.
However, in order to keep staff and the public safe, Battersea has had to close all three of its centres during this period of lockdown.
As well as its main centre in Battersea, south London, there are centres in Brands Hatch, Kent and Windsor, Berkshire. All three have closed their doors to the public for the time being.
And while the charity would of course stay open if it could, some positives have come out of it, with volunteers and the public stepping up to help.
A spokesperson from Battersea said: “With over 200 animals in our care, our priority will now be looking after our animals and providing them with the physical and mental stimulation they need.
“Battersea are fortunate enough to have dedicated staff whose love and passion for animal welfare knows no bounds and some of our staff, including vets and behaviourists, are working on a skeleton structure to ensure that every animal continues to receive the care they need.”
Incredibly, a huge number of dogs and cats were re-homed in the week leading up to lock down, March 16 to 22.
Battersea reported that more than 150 animals found loving homes in just one week as members of the public realised the need to help. Figures were more than double what they were during the same week in 2019.
“Nearly 100 animals have gone on temporary foster with our staff and volunteers,” the spokesperson added.