Bath Cats and Dogs Home has launched a winter appeal to raise vital funds to support their work, which like many other charities, has been significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Smores the cat | Photo courtesy of Bath Cats & Dogs Home
In March, Bath Cats and Dogs Home (BCDH) had to close due to Government restrictions, which saw the team adapt to new ways of working, including virtual house visits, online adoptions and animals being delivered safely to their new homes.
On top of the initial pressures caused by the pandemic, staff are now seeing some of the more far-reaching effects as the year draws to a close.
Since March, the home has taken in 145 animals from RSPCA Inspectors and Animal Rescue Officers, many of which were as a result of people struggling to cope.
BCDH recently took in a large group of cats, which were very thin, covered in fleas, had faeces in their fur and suffering from nasty parasitic stomach problems.
Due to the urgent medical care they received, anti-parasitic treatment and good food, they are back on track and are doing well.
Chief Executive Rachel Jones said: “Although it’s impossible to comment on individual cases we can only assume that we are seeing the detrimental impact of the pandemic on mental and physical health and increased financial pressures.”
The Bath Cats and Dogs Home Winter Appeal will allow the charity to care for dogs and cats when they need it most.
To provide a dog with a comfy kennel for a month costs £395 whilst a loving space in the cattery costs £125.
To support BCDH, visit www.bcdh.org.uk/winterappeal.
