A charity which has been improving the lives of the region's pets for 126 years has issued an appeal for support after its annual energy bill looks set to soar to £200,000.
Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter provides a safe haven for animals in need and has helped around 1,000 pets find their forever home this year. But for the animals that remain in the charity's care, rising energy costs are creating a welfare concern for the charity.
It comes as the Shelter's annual energy bill of around £50,000 looks likely to rise to around £200,000, contributing to what the charity has described as a 'perfect storm' this winter. The rising energy cost will put extra pressure on the charity which is also facing reduced donations and an anticipated increase in demand for their services as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
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Chris Bray, chief executive of Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter, said: "This is a really difficult time financially for everyone, including our volunteers and staff.
"We're working closely with local foodbanks to provide pet food and support for people already struggling, but without wanting to sound negative, we’re preparing the Shelter for worse to come.
"We've already seen a 50 percent reduction in the public donations we normally receive after we send out our annual newsletter and that’s a worrying indicator for us that our supporters aren’t able to give as they normally would like to.
"We currently have 30 dogs and 80 cats and kittens in our care, along with a number of other animals, and we're trying to ensure energy price increases don’t impact on our ability to provide warmth for them this winter."
The Shelter, which has an Arrivals Centre on Claremont Road in Newcastle and a Rehoming Centre in Benton, has been reuniting lost pets with their owners and finding loving new homes for animals in need since 1896. Now it has launched the Warm Paws Appeal to support the Shelter with energy costs.
It usually costs the charity £259 to heat one dog kennel for a year and this will now increase to around £1,000. The Shelter is also preparing for an anticipated increase in animals requiring their support as local people face up to an increasingly challenging financial situation.
Chris added: "Every pet is a loved family member but we know, when financial hardship really kicks in, people can be only one vet bill away from having to make a truly heart-breaking decision. It's always very difficult to see people give up their pets but we know that they only have their welfare in mind.
"Our aim is always to find loving new homes for our animals but some, through no fault of their own, can take longer to find their forever home.
"Older dogs, like Patch who came to us as a stray in August and we think is about 10, often do stay with us for longer. And Barbas, who is also a really lovely lad, is currently under the care of our vets to help with a bad skin condition on his back. He needs treatment and a warm bath at least three times a week.
"In terms of animal welfare, we simply can't do without the heating. We're really hoping the public can come on board with our Warm Paws Appeal. Regular support or a one-off donation of any amount will really help us as we try to weather the difficult times ahead with the animals in our care."
To donate to Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter's Warm Paws Appeal and help provide warmth for the animals in its care, please visit this link.
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