5th November 2020
Following the announcement of the new national restrictions from 5th November 2020, here is our latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) statement.
Rescue Centre
The welfare of the animals on site remains paramount as is the safety of our staff and volunteers. We are doing all we can to continue to care for the animals by providing them with the highest welfare standards. We are making sure that the staff and volunteers who look after them are protected too during this difficult time. Due to the new restrictions, it does mean that the Rescue Centre will remain closed to the public until further notice. If you telephone the Rescue Centre and we do not answer, it is because we are functioning with fewer staff, so please leave a message, bear with us and we will call you back when we can.
Rehoming Animals During the Restrictions
DEFRA have confirmed that the rehoming of animals is still permitted. We will be continuing to find new homes for the animals, although this is will be limited at this time. Please note that if your application for an animal has been successful, we will contact you. As we are receiving a large amount of applications for some of the animals, as we have limited staff, it is not possible to contact everyone who has been unsuccessful. If you have submitted an application, we respectfully ask that you do not contact the Rescue Centre to chase up your application as we need to keep the phone lines open for emergencies.
Intake of Animals
If you need to relinquish your dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig, please contact the Rescue Centre on 01803 812121 option 1. We will help if we can.
Charity Shops
As all non-essential retail is to close from 5th November, our Charity shops will be closed from this date. We respectfully ask that no donated items are left outside the shops whilst we are closed as there will be nobody available to take them inside, they represent a fire risk and sadly they are often rooted through and items stolen. We will gladly accept the donations once government guidance allows us to re-open our shops, so if you are able to hang onto them until then, it would be greatly appreciated.
Volunteers
The new Government guidance allows you to leave home for work purposes, or to provide voluntary or charitable services, where it cannot be done from home. This means at the Rescue Centre we can continue to welcome our regular volunteers who help care with cat socialising, dog walking etc. Unfortunately, we are unable to take on any new volunteers at this time.
Events
We are unable to run any of our planned events but we have various online content for your interest and pleasure to see you through lockdown, so please keep an eye on our website and social media.
Fundraising
Our fundraising and trading income has been significantly impacted by the pandemic this year and the latest lockdown will compound this further. If you are able to make a donation to help us to continue caring for the animals, your kindness during this time will help make a difference.
Thank you for your continued support of Animals in Distress.
Take care and stay safe.
Neil Thomas, Chief Executive
