Banbury animal rescue charity gets £2,000 donation

A Banbury animal rescue charity received a surprise donation of £2,000 to help provide for pets during the Covid-19 pandemic.
BARKS charity chair Ann Collins with a kitten on its way to a new home (photo from BARKS charity)BARKS charity chair Ann Collins with a kitten on its way to a new home (photo from BARKS charity)
BARKS charity chair Ann Collins with a kitten on its way to a new home (photo from BARKS charity)

The Banbury Animal Rescue and Kindness Service (B.A.R.K.S) received the donation from the charity Support Adoption For Pets around Valentine's Day.

Support Adoption for Pets, the UK’s largest grant giving animal charity started by Pets At Home, gave the donation to recognise the tireless efforts and hard work at B.A.R.K.S since the pandemic began.

Ann Collins, the chair of the BARKS charity, said: "BARKS were overwhelmed to receive a second substantial donation from Support Adoption for Pets in the space of two months.

A cat from the BARKS animal rescue charity in BanburyA cat from the BARKS animal rescue charity in Banbury
A cat from the BARKS animal rescue charity in Banbury

"Just before Valentine's Day we were asked to join a live video chat, during which we were told that £2000 was being transferred to our account the same day, as part of the 'Share the Love' campaign.

"This was the only income we had in a number of weeks, and it quite literally left our account within hours to pay a vet bill.

"Even with the more positive news from the government we still have a long way to go before we can safely re-open, therefore our income will remain extremely low for many weeks.

"We are also acutely aware that it is very likely there will be many more animals in need of help as people go back to their pre-lockdown lives. Perhaps this is the time to remind people an animal is a commitment for life."

BARKS committee member Jo Allen with nine-year old Bengal cat Blue (photo from BARKS charity)BARKS committee member Jo Allen with nine-year old Bengal cat Blue (photo from BARKS charity)
BARKS committee member Jo Allen with nine-year old Bengal cat Blue (photo from BARKS charity)

In total, the Support Adoption for Pets charity is giving away nearly £600,000 to rescue centres up and down the country to help them look after the animals in their care as the financial hardship of Covid-19 continues.

B.A.R.K.S is partnered with the Banbury Pets at Home store through Support Adoption For Pets’ Charity of the Year programme, and through this received a total of £3,228 in 2020.

Support Adoption For Pets charity manager, Amy Angus, said: “Our message was simple over Valentine’s Day weekend and it’s one that we’re really passionate about as a charity. We’re here to share the love and surprising B.A.R.K.S with a donation of £2,000 meant the world to them.

“The impact of Covid-19 is monumental and rescue centres continue to fall under real pressure. We’re reaching out to provide them with much needed financial help and to do our best to ensure that abandoned pets are given a second chance of happiness.

“Not only has the charity surprised rescues with nearly £600,000 but we have also increased our emergency grant programme by £400,00 so rescues can apply for funding during these difficult times.”