Banbury animal rescue appeal off to great start

Banbury Animal Rescue and Kindness Service (BARKS) launched their StayCATion Appeal in a bid to overcome the enforced lack of fundraising events this spring and summer.

They have remained open throughout the lockdown for housing and treating animals, ranging from cats to rabbits and hamsters, but have had to cease adoptions and home visits as well as routine fundraising.

Chair Ann Collins said: “We've been overwhelmed by the generosity of supporters. As well as donations we've had a stream of people leaving suitable food and supplies outside the gate at our Bodicote centre.

"One person even asked for all her birthday presents to be money which she then gave to BARKS.

“We recognise how hugely difficult this period is for everyone, in so many ways.

"For us, because we're all volunteers, we must work really hard to keep our income going, both to care for animals and to make sure we're afloat at the end of all this. Then we can re-home our current residents – many of whom have been spoken for already – and take in a new influx of needy creatures.”

As part of the StayCATion Appeal, BARKS volunteer Becci Cooper has been producing videos, screened weekly on the charity's Facebook page, to show the behind-the-scenes animal care continuing under social-distancing rules.

Meanwhile, Banbury's Looby Loo Cake Company have raffled a cake, other supporters have been sewing and making crafts for sale at future events and grant applications are going ahead.

Ann added: “The StayCATion Appeal will go on for weeks yet – and we may even need to extend the target if the government keeps the restrictions in place longer.

“We just can't afford to take our foot off the pedal. If we can keep donations coming in it will release our small team from the pressure of additional urgent fundraising when the lockdown ends.

"Instead, we'll be able to focus on matching up new owners with animals, plus taking in new faces. We're expecting there to be a surge of animals in need of care and re-homing after lockdown.”

To support the BARKS StayCATion Appeal, people can either donate by Paypal on their website at www.barks.org.uk, by cheque made payable to BARKS sent to 47 Park End, Bodicote, Banbury OX15 4DQ or email [email protected] for direct online payments.

*A message from the Banbury Guardian Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper when you do your weekly shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.