Report reveals charity work of KAR in 2020
KYRENIA Animal Rescue (KAR) has neutered more than 15,000 cats and dogs since 2002, according to new figures released by the charity.
The numbers were revealed at KAR’s annual general meeting held on July 14 and attended by 12 people, a statement said on Tuesday.
Chair Margaret Ray gave a “comprehensive report” on the activities of KAR during 2020.
Referring to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, KAR said the period covered was “completely different” to the “previous 22 years and one that has changed our whole way of life”.
“The year, as you can imagine, was extremely difficult with weeks of lockdowns and curfews but our first and main consideration was the health and welfare of the animals in our care at the centre,” the KAR statement said.
“At the end of 2020 there were 231 dogs and 38 cats in our care. Considering the conditions that we were working under we were surprised and extremely pleased that we managed to find forever homes for 36 dogs and 11 cats.
“Sixteen of these dogs went overseas to wonderful loving homes. With our neutering programme this year, a total of 340 cats were neutered and 30 dogs.
“This takes our total figures of animals neutered since our records began in 2002 to 11,302 cats and 3,834 dogs – a great achievement, which surely must have made a great impact on the number of unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats on the streets.
“We are relentless in our quest to continue neutering these animals through all adversities.
“Our charity shops are an extremely important means of income and during lockdown were closed.
“As soon as it was safe and we were allowed to reopen the shops they were given a thorough deep clean, reconfigured and we put forward new safe practice rules for the volunteers, customers and the handling of donations.
BAZAAR CANCELLED
“Unfortunately we had to cancel our annual Christmas Bazaar, but to try to make up for the loss we designed a small Christmas Shop and stalls at our office premises and were able to sell selected seasonal goods over a period in the run-up to Christmas.
“A reduced Christmas raffle also helped to raise funds as well as a New Year calendar that was designed with KAR dogs and cats.
“Our Education Team’s activities were curtailed due to the closure of the schools but a shorter 2020 report can be seen on our website.
“As expected our Pet Travel Department hit many problems during the year but continued to provide a full information service and arranged for safe travel out of the TRNC for 71 pets and 24 pets to come into the TRNC.”
Mrs Ray expressed her “huge thanks to KAR’s wonderful staff and volunteers that have given their time and expertise and to our fantastic friends and supporters who have all helped to give life and love to hundreds of abandoned dogs and cats”.
A financial report on the audited accounts was given by the treasurer Marian Clay.
Committee members elected for 2021/22 were: Margaret Ray, Gwen Cassell, Denise Aksoy, Marian Clay, Jacky Kester and co-opt members Senem Burkutoğlu and Raymond Morris.