ADCH Members Highlight the Challenges Facing the Animal Welfare Sector
We were up early this morning to watch an important feature on BBC Breakfast, which first aired around 6:50am, highlighting the financial crisis facing rescue and rehoming charities.
ADCH was incredibly proud to see two of our members bringing national attention to the critical issues the sector is grappling with. Ferne Animal Sanctuary and Woodlands Animal Sanctuary showcased the incredible work they continue to do daily, despite unprecedented challenges. If you missed it, you can watch the segment here.
Ferne Animal Sanctuary
Nikki Haddock, Animal Care Manager at Ferne Animal Sanctuary, appeared with Jessie, a dog recently rescued from being put to sleep after her owner passed away. Nikki shared Jessie’s heartwarming story, before we saw Kevan Hodges, CEO of Ferne Animal Sanctuary, discussing the worsening financial situation at the sanctuary. He raised the alarming risk of funds running out due to rapid and continuous cost increases, noting that in the last 6 to 12 months, operational costs have surged by about 50%. Kevan emphasised that times have never been tougher for animal rescue centres. The segment also featured 10-month-old Collie, Jackson, with his new adoptive family, demonstrating the importance of their work and the life-changing impact it has on animals in need.
Woodlands Animal Sanctuary
BBC correspondent Fiona Landon visited Woodlands Animal Sanctuary, speaking live with volunteers as they cared for the animals. Volunteer Chris Cook explained the sanctuary was currently enduring the ‘perfect storm’ of challenges, caused by the spike in pet ownership during the pandemic followed by the cost of living crisis, which has led to the highest level of animal abandonment they’ve ever experienced.
Around 8:25am, the programme returned to Woodlands to interview Freddy, a young volunteer helping out during his summer holidays, before Vickie Blackburn, owner of Woodlands Animal Sanctuary, spoke candidly about their struggles.
Vickie shared that the sanctuary has recently been forced to close their doors to new admissions and is currently turning away at least 40 cats each week. She highlighted the sector-wide need for an additional 70% capacity to handle the current waiting list of animals needing support from rescue and rehoming organisations.
Vickie made a heartfelt appeal for public support, noting that even a donation of £1 a week from their Facebook followers, could make a significant difference.
A Sector in Crisis
The issues highlighted by Ferne Animal Sanctuary and Woodlands Animal Sanctuary, just two of our members, are not isolated cases; they reflect a widespread crisis across the rest of our membership and the wider animal welfare sector. The rise in the number of animals being surrendered or abandoned and the rise in operational costs, paired with the cost of living causing decreased donations, rising vet bills, and pressure on staff and volunteers, has created an unsustainable situation. We are incredibly proud of the remarkable work that all our members continue to do for dogs and cats despite such adversity.
How You Can Help
You can help by visiting our ‘Find a Rescue‘ tool to locate your nearest ADCH member and get involved, whether through donating, volunteering, fostering or adopting an animal, every bit of support helps rescue centres continue their vital work. Together, we can ensure that ADCH members like Ferne Animal Sanctuary and Woodlands Animal Sanctuary, and many others, can continue to save lives and provide essential care for animals in need.
