A PLEA for help has been made by volunteers at Kidderminster’s rabbit and rodent rescue charity as rising costs and ever-growing waiting lists threaten its future.
Greatfield Small Animal Rescue, Worcestershire’s only specialist rescue for rabbits and rodents, has had to close its doors to new arrivals until the new year at the earliest, after adoptions for furry friends have slowed down in recent months.
This comes as rising costs have led to volunteers worrying whether the charity can continue.
Emily Jane Walker, one of the volunteers, told the Standard the charity has faced a really tough year, with many of the animals under their care needing complex or long-term attention or treatment.
She added: “Sadly, we’ve had to close our doors to new arrivals for the time being.
“Adoptions have slowed right down; they’ve been incredibly slow all year, and many of the rabbits and rodents currently with us are sanctuary animals who can’t be rehomed due to age or ongoing health issues.
“The requests for us to take in animals haven’t slowed; in fact, they’re increasing month on month. Some of our waiting lists when our doors reopen are months long.
“We rely entirely on community support, no grants or external funding, and it’s been such a tough year keeping up with rising costs while giving every little life here the care they deserve.
“We’re not ones to shout woe is me, but we really do need local people to know how much difference their help makes.
“Rising costs and demands are definitely threatening whether we can continue running.”
Despite their current struggles, volunteers are still taking the time to help as many rabbits and rodents as possible.
Last week, they accepted an emergency intake to get over 20 Roborovski hamsters living in overcrowded and dirty conditions to safety from the other end of the country.
Emily added: “Their journey took them over 250 miles to reach safety.
“They were desperate for placement and are sadly all very young and highly likely to get pregnant, so they are on pregnancy watch.”
To lift spirits and raise some funds, local supporter Holly Yeats has organised a fundraising evening at The Land Oak pub on Thursday, October 30.
The fundraiser will take place between 5pm and 8pm and will feature stalls from local businesses, a face painter, and goodie bags for any children who come along.
Emily said the event was shaping up to be a lovely community night and invited anyone else who wanted to fundraise through events such as sponsored runs, coffee mornings, and cake sales.
Visit www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/greatfieldsmallanimalrescue to donate.
