Three local animal rescue charities have joined forces to beg for financial support to help them continue their vital work during the coronavirus lockdown.
New Arc near Ellon, Halfpenny Farm just outside of Inverurie and Willows Animal Sanctuary between New Pitsligo and Strichen have all suffered greatly following the huge societal changes brought on by the pandemic.
With shops shut, open days not feasible and sponsored walks, pub quizzes and even income from charity tins disappearing, each of the three organisations have reported major drops in funding.
And without a steady stream of money coming in, the charities – which care for abandoned, neglected, orphaned or injured domestic animals and local wildlife – fear they may be in severe financial troubles in the immediate future.
Keith Marley from New Arc said that although major Scotland-wide charities still have resources available, smaller charities like his, Willows and Halfpenny Farm will really struggle if enough cash flow isn’t secured.
He said: “We’ve always worked closely together and supported eachother, but at the moment we’re all facing the same kind of problem.
“We personally had a variety of major fundraising projects this year including the Kilt Walk, but they’ve all been cancelled, along with everything else we’ve been organising including auctions and open days.
“The income from all three charities has basically dropped to nothing.
“Please help whatever charity you can. In these times of trouble and human misery, we understand that people have priorities, but if you can spare any cash right now, we’re asking if you can spare it for the good of the animals.”
And Louise Yule, from Halfpenny Farm said: “Any kind of donation is welcome.
“We’re trying to reduce the number of animals we’re taking in, but realistically with the coronavirus who knows how many animals are going to end up needing homes.”
Vikky McDonald from Willows added: “Closing our visitor centre has meant we’ve lost about half our income.
“We would like to thank everyone that has supported us so far. It really means a lot and we wouldn’t be here without them.”
To help, visit www.thenewarc.org, www.willowsanimals.com or www.halfpenny-farm.co.uk
Meanwhile, animal charities in the Highlands have also been experiencing hardship.
Iona Nicol of Munlochy Animal Aid in North Kessock said: “Our fundraising has stopped completely.
“We haven’t been able to go out and we have cancelled all our collections, our annual fate is cancelled and we participate in the Street Fair in Dingwall and September.
“All these things are cancelled so we are looking at a significant drop in our income.
“It is quite a worry as our overheads don’t change, they don’t reduce obviously, but we have to try and maintain it.
“We are trying different things online, that’s the advantage of the computers, but it’s a waiting game to see how things are going to go.
“We are still taking animals in, in emergency situations, even though we are closed to the public. There has been a few and there is a few to come.
“There is going to be added pressures on every charity I image and on animal charities as well.”
