The Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter has raised over £100,000 through its Warm Paws fundraising campaign, which they started due to the rising bills the charity is facing due to the Cost of Living crisis.
The heart-warming response has also seen some backing from high-profile North East celebrities, including Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer and Geordie drag star Miss Rory.
The Shelter has been helping find new loving homes for animals that are in need, as well as reuniting lost pets with their owners since 1896, but their annual energy bill that currently stands at around £50,000 is set to rise significantly.
It was for this reason that the charity felt it was necessary to start an appeal, as it is so important to help the future well-being of animals in their care.
Their facilities, that are split into an Arrivals Centre on Claremont Road and a Rehoming Centre in Benton, which last year successfully rehomed over 1,000 animals.
Chris Bray is the chief executive of Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter, and he has spoken about how grateful he is for the amazing support his organisation has been given, and how tough it has been with these rising costs.
“All the team here are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received since we launched our Warm Paws Appeal. We know this is a tough time for many people financially, including our own staff and volunteers, and we really didn’t know what kind of response we’d get.
“The huge energy price hike has been a double blow because it’s come at a time when we’re also facing an increase in demand for our services because of the cost-of-living crisis. Some people are facing absolutely awful decisions about whether they can still afford to keep their pets, which is heart-breaking, and we’re working with local foodbanks to help pet owners who are struggling
“What’s been most touching is the sheer volume of donations, many of them relatively small. It’s all helped and, while we’re not where we need to be yet, things are certainly a lot brighter than they were.
“I wouldn’t say we’re out of the woods yet but we’re certainly feeling more positive and very thankful to everyone who has supported our appeal.”
To donate to the Warm Paws Appeal please visit The Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter website here
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