Petmania launch food appeal and fundraiser for rescue partners
May 01, 2020
No adoptions and (fur) baby-boom predicted for Offaly animal shelters
Petmania launch food appeal and fundraiser for rescue partners
Animal Shelters across the country are struggling in the face of Covid-19. With the current restrictions in place the normal rate of adoption and rehoming is not taking place. Animal rescue centres have predicted a surge in returns of animals following lockdown and a spike in cat and dog litters. Fundraising has ground to a halt and shelters adding further pressure to the rescue centres.
Petmania has launched a Food Appeal to help and its eight* struggling rescue partners. Starting on Thursday 30th April, a Food Appeal will be carried out instore and via the pet stores’ ‘carry-to-car’ service. Customers can make a food donation in-store with proceeds going to their local animal shelter. Animal lovers are also encouraged to go to Petmania’s dedicated GoFundMe page via gofundme.com/f/Petmania-Animal-Rescue-Food-Appeal to raise much-needed funds for its shelter partners.
Restrictions on Rehoming
The (DAFM) Department of Food, Agriculture and Marine has advised rescue centres to limit the movement of animals which greatly impacts on the shelter’s ability to carry out vital home checks and rehoming of animals whilst in lockdown.
Additionally, the (VCI) Veterinary Council of Ireland has advised vet practitioners to only carry out emergency procedures, which does not include neutering and spaying. Pet Shelters are predicting the measures will result in a surge of unwanted cat and dog litters and increased pressure on the charities limited resources.
Fears are growing amongst the shelter community that new pet-parents, who have adopted an animal during COVID-19 from private breeders whilst working from home, have not fully considered the long term impact of caring for a cat or dog. It is predicting a spike in returns once the restrictions are lifted similar to that seen after Christmas each year.
Olivia O’Reilly, from Galway Cat Rescue said,
“Unfortunately there is no way to socially distance to carry out home-check or foster home meeting so for now all adoptions are suspended. We are doing food drops to cocooning elderly cat carers with the support of Petmania Galway. The staff have been very helpful indeed and encouraging our followers to wait to adopt after the public health restrictions are lifted.”
Rescue centres are facing financial hardship as a result of the Pandemic. While costs continue to mount up, many of the shelters’ flag days, fund raisers and adoption days have been cancelled Some animal shelters have responded by setting up a waiting list and the Irish pet store is supporting its shelter partners with a food appeal and its GoFundMe donation page where customers can support the partner charities.
Emily Miller of Petmania said,
“We have had a notable increase in enquiries about cat and dog adoption, now that people are at home. We would strongly recommend that families wait until the restrictions have been lifted before welcoming a dog or cat into the family. Animals are the most wonderful companion and we encourage people to fully consider the long-term impact of pet-parenting, and if they will be able to continue to care for their new pet after life returns to normal. If people want to help, they can add an extra bag of food to their in-store or ‘carry to car’ orders, which we will pass on to our animal shelter partners on their behalf. We would be thrilled if customers would consider leaving a small donation on our GoFundMe page to support their great work.”
Donate In-store or Online
Pet stores are essential retailers and Petmania’s 12 stores remain open across the country. It is now offering a carry-to-car-service to help customers get essential health and nutrition supplies safely without leaving their car. Simply call Petmania Location to place an order. The staff will deliver to the car and put them in the boot – Petmania encourages its customers to add something extra into their order to help support the animal shelter. For more see: www.petmania.ie | gofundme.com/f/Petmania-Animal-Rescue-Food-Appeal
* Animal Rescue partners include:
- Galway Cat Rescue – Galway
- Protecting Pound Dogs – Kilkenny
- ASH Animal Rescue – Carlow
- Anabatic Lodge Animal Sanctuary – Tullamore
- Sera Husky & Animal Rescue Centre – Kerry
- Kingdom Cat and Dog Rescue – Kerry
- LSPCA – Laois
- DEEL Animal Action Group – Limerick
