As we approach the festive season, Cheltenham Animal Shelter is dealing with an increase of stray pets.
The shelter have been helping animals since 1926, and depend on support from members of the public. This will help them look after approximately 650 animals which arrive through their doors, as stated on their website.
A charity spokesperson said on the issue: ‘This year 40% of our dogs have come to us as strays. In addition to strays, we are seeing more dogs with medical or behavioural needs. Dogs are coming to us that were acquired during the lockdown and now can no longer be cared for, and this is being impacted by the increase in cost of living.
We plan for Christmas carefully and although we don’t tend to rehome over the festive season, we will continue to help pets who need us.’
A female lurcher, whom the shelter have named Sally, was recently brought in as a stray after being found by a dog warden.
See post here: https://www.facebook.com/cheltenhamanimalshelter/photos/a.297904987221/10162355233712222/?type=3&source=57&refid=52
A Facebook post described her as ‘in a shocking state’ and ‘painfully thin, [with] an infection in a wound on her tail.’ Currently the post, which shows a side profile of the sorry looking hound, has over 700 ‘likes’ and has received £908 in donations from a link.
The shelter wrote that Sally is on a specialised diet which will help her to gain weight, and that she is being tended to by their vets to treat her infections. Remarkably, the shelter added that despite her past, she is a ‘loving, friendly dog’ and that they ‘can’t wait until she is healthy enough to find her forever home.’
The shelter are running a festive Shoe Box Appeal, where you can fill a wrapped box with some gifts for some of the furry friends at the shelter. These will go under the tree by the 21st December, ready to be ‘opened’ by the charity’s animals for a Christmas treat.
You can make a donation to the shelter here: www.gawa.org.uk/appeal
And for more information on the Shoe Box Appeal: www.gawa.org.uk/shoe-box-appeal
