Scottish SPCA plea as 1500 cancel monthly donations

The Scottish SPCA has launched a campaign urging people ‘not to forget the animals’ amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The animal welfare charity said in recent weeks almost 1500 members have stopped their monthly donations.

This, combined with the cancellation of fundraising events and challenges, means the society could face losing up to 20% of its income this year in a worst-case scenario.

Since the nation entered lockdown on March 23, the Scottish SPCA has fielded more than 11,000 calls to its helpline and responded to more than 4400 reports of animals in urgent need.

It has launched an emergency fostering service to free up space as it continues to rescue animals without being able to rehome.

More than 130 animals have gone to foster homes, with more than 300 animals seized on welfare grounds or picked up as strays.

Around 700 animals are currently receiving rehabilitation at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Clackmannanshire.

Loving: Layla is ready to be moved into a new home.

Launching its Don’t Forget the Animals campaign, the Scottish SPCA said the charity’s involvement can be the difference between life or death for animals like Layla, a Belgian malinois who arrived at the Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre with behavioural issues.

Committed staff at the centre – which needs more than £86,000 every month to continuing caring for animals – have been looking after Layla for almost a year.

She has been on a tailored rehabilitation plan after arriving with behavioural issues and being extremely nervous.

After a year of hard work, Layla is ready to find a loving hew home and has rediscovered how to have fun, be affectionate and love humans again.

Anna O’Donnell, the manager of the centre, said: “Our frontline teams, whether on our helpline, out on the road, or in a rescue centre, are still here fighting to rescue and care for every single animal we can.

“We know Scotland is a nation of animal lovers and now, more than ever, we ask that they don’t forget the animals.

“Our aim is to be here as long as animals and people need us, giving the likes of Layla a second chance in life.

“Every single person who signs up to support us with a monthly donation will make a difference and will save lives.”

The Scottish SPCA receives no government funding and is entirely reliant on donations from the public.

To find out more about the campaign and become a member of the Scottish SPCA, go here.