Animal

Animal shelters left with ‘no food’ because of coronavirus


Animal charities are facing food shortages because of coronavirus (Picture: Paws2Rescue)

Animal rescuers say they are being left with no pet food for dogs and cats as people are panic buying due to coronavirus.

Fundraisers have been set up for animal charities affected, including Paws2Rescue, of which comedian Ricky Gervais is patron, which helps stray dogs in Romania. Founder Alison Standbridge has warned that the situation is ‘critical’.

The charity is appealing on Facebook for donations to buy supplies from their manufacturer as shops are running out. They said: ‘We have several tons of food held in reserve at manufacturers in Romania, please help us to buy some of this because we desperately want to send food out in the next couple of days to rescuers across the country.

‘This really will be a horrific time for the dogs when the shops are stocking essentials only – and that does not include dog food.’

The appeal by Paws2Rescue has already raised more than £2,000 for dog food (Picture: Paws2Rescue)

The Paws2Rescue appeal has already raised more than £2,000.

Former Made in Chelsea star Lucy Watson and Emma Naylor, who co-founded All Hearts Global to support animal charities, have also set up a fundraiser for a Greek shelter.

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Animal Rescue Kefalonia (ARK) has hundreds of dogs and cats to care for but is facing a crisis due to a lack of volunteers and donations.

The appeal says: ‘Shelter’s rescue animals are not a high priority right now, but abandoned, unwanted, abused animals are paying a high price during this crisis as people are struggling and are discarding animals.

Lucy Watson has set up a fundraiser for Greek shelter ARK, where she adopted her kitten from (Picture: Instagram)

‘On top of that, with flights being cancelled, and holidays being postponed the number of volunteers to animal charities all over the world has dropped hugely.

‘Both Emma and Lucy have adopted, and spent time at the rescue centre with Marina and Joyce who are the only two full time volunteers who work at the centre.

‘The coronavirus and the lack of travel is having a huge impact on the help they are receiving, and the funds that are being donated.

‘The centre costs thousands of Euros to run a month, which includes basic food for all 350 animals, emergency vet appointments and the day to day medication required for the animals.

‘Please donate what you can to help the innocent animals who are being affected by this hard time.’

In a tweet, Lucy added: ‘Together with @AllHeartsGlobal we are hoping to get this rescue centre through the next few months. Right now these animals have no food.’

It comes as there have been more than 169,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus around the word.

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