Emergency Fund For Rescues

Earlier this year, Schnauzerfest became an affiliate member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Home. Little did we know that our first year as a registered charity would find us in the turmoil of a pandemic.

We’re so glad of the support this membership brings our charity and many others. There’s a wealth of practical support, resources, guidance and networking available. It’s a difficult time for everyone, but some rescues are really on the edge of survival. But they’re not going to go down without a fight; fundraising being done by some rescues is phenomenal. It’s inspirational in fact and Schnauzerfest is proud to be playing its part.

There’s incredible compassion in the rescue sector. During a time nobody could have planned for, people are pulling together, generously helping others even when their own rescues are at great risk. I see rescues of all sizes and geographic reach and location collaborating, whether that’s with direct resources like sharing food, skills, knowledge, offers of kennel space, logistical support – and lots and lots of morale boosting words.

Now the ADCH has launched an Emergency Fund for animal rescues across the British Isles, to help them continue their vital work. This comes in response to a survey of rescue and rehoming organisations which revealed:

• 100% said their income had reduced;
• 61% said they have reduced staff numbers (the majority through furloughing);
• 55% said that fundraising income had already reduced by over 50%;
• Just 52% of members said they had three months of income and reserves remaining, whilst 32% had less than three months, and some significantly less than this. Yet none have shut their doors – they are still carrying out their vital work every day.

Claire Horton, ADCH Chairman, said: “There are over 1,200 animal rescue and rehoming centres throughout the UK, doing their very best to care for hundreds of thousands of unwanted and abandoned animals each year. Their closure or reduction in capacity would be catastrophic for animal in need but the results of the ADCH survey paint a very worrying picture. “There has been no let-up in the number of animals these rescues care for, yet their income streams have all but dried up due to cancelled fundraising activities and closure of charity shops. This is an emergency – the very survival of some of these rescues is at stake. The ADCH Coronavirus Emergency Fund is here to provide aid to rescues in immediate crisis and support to others further down the line.”

The funds will provide one-off grants of up to £10,000 to cover activities directly affected by coronavirus. Grants will be prioritised for organisations with an annual turnover of £500,000 or less and will help support the cost of food, bedding, cleaning equipment and transportation of animals, as well as additional staff costs as a result of staff and volunteers not being able to attend the rescue or shelter.

Any corporations or members of the public who wish to donate to the ADCH Coronavirus Emergency Fund can visit https://www.adch.org.uk/donate/.