The future of the Isle of Wight's RSPCA Centre is in doubt, with the charity launching an emergency appeal for funds.
The animal centre, based in Godshill, says it is in "great need" of monetary donations following the coronavirus pandemic.
Though demand for services remains, the charity has been unable to generate income through its network of fundraising shops because of lockdown.
Business at its Bohemia Boarding animal lodgings have also been hit as dog and cat owners have had to cancel their holiday plans because of travel restrictions.
The charity is therefore launching an appeal for emergency funding to help it to continue to provide its animal welfare services.
Suzanne Pugh, IW RSPCA branch manager, said:
“Like other charities, we are seeing a demand for our services at a time when our ability to generate income is very low.
“Without a doubt our area of greatest need is monetary donations to cover costs such as medicines, vaccinations and surgeries. Financial donations in a crisis allow us to use it where it is most needed for the animals.”
“Many people choose to donate products for animals throughout the year and, through this much- appreciated generosity, our food stocks are now currently very high which means we no longer require some animal foods. If you were considering donating food, as an alternative please consider donating the cost of the product instead.”
Suzanne said:
“Activity may be restricted in some areas but here at the centre we continue to provide daily animal care. Life goes on for those animals who rely on us and there is a cost involved in providing that support.
“Just last week for example, we had to take four of our dogs to the mainland for emergency veterinary treatment. Though we get great support from Wightlink and are in partnership with an RSPCA medical facility on the mainland, there is still a cost to this sort of animal care.
“It won’t stop us admitting animals who require medical and surgical treatment, but we have to find the money for their care.”
Though affiliated to the national RSPCA, the Island organisation is stand-alone and must raise its own funds to provide its animal adoption and welfare services.
“Throughout the Covid-19 period there are still domestic and wild animals that depend on us. We have been extremely busy but we have not been able to rely on income from our network of shops or our Bohemia Boarding facilities, in fact we have had to refund many deposits for boarding reservations which has eaten into the revenues generated from that income stream,” Suzanne said.
“In effect we have been meeting the costs of caring for our animals but with only a fraction of the usual money coming in to support the work.
“We know it has been a difficult time for everyone, including our staff, but we really need some financial assistance to help our community’s animals out at this time. We have marvellous facilities here that were created out of designated legacies for that purpose – our Bohemia Boarding service has the top rating available – so the future should be bright but we need help right now while our fundraising activities remain affected by the pandemic.
“As this crisis intensifies animals need your help more than ever and we would ask anyone who can make a donation to do so via the donation button on our website www.rspca-iowbranch.org.uk or call 01983 840287 or Text RSPCAIOW to 70470 donate any amount. We need help right now to ensure we are able to provide our animal care services both now and in the future.”
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