SSPCA launch fostering service as Covid-19 hits rehoming
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THE Scottish SPCA has announced its inspectors and animal rescue officers will continue to attend emergency reports of animals in need throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity will also pioneer a fostering service for animals as it suspends rehoming in line with Scottish Government guidance on non-essential travel. The measures come as the charity responds to the challenges created by the spread of Covid-19.
As of Tuesday, March 24 the society’s nine animal rescue and rehoming centres will be closed to the public and rehoming will not take place during this time. As part of their contingency plans, it has developed a fostering service with over 100 homes signed-up to take in all sorts of animals in the weeks ahead.
Scottish SPCA chief executive Kirsteen Campbell said: “During this unprecedented health crisis, we are committed to protecting animals and serving Scotland’s communities as best we can.”
“In line with government guidance, we must suspend rehoming activity to keep the public and our team safe. Our team planned for this and we are in a position to foster out suitable animals to loving homes until the pandemic is over. As our inspectors and rescue officers continue to attend to animals in need, there will still be animals coming in to our nine animal rescue and rehoming centres and our wildlife hospital.
"The fostering service will allow us to manage occupancy and staff workloads in the months ahead.
“Our animal helpline team is fully functional remotely and remains open every single day from 7am to 9pm to provide advice and support and to pass on jobs to our frontline teams. We have put protocols in place to support health, safety and well-being to limit face-to-face contact.
“Our education officers have not been in schools for the last week so they have been assisting our other teams across the Society by taking calls to our helpline and helping our wonderful staff on the frontline.
“This week we will be launching education resources to teach children and to assist teachers and parents at this uncertain time."
Ms Campbell went on to urge the public consult the society's website first before phoning if possible.
The Scottish SPCA website is www.scottishspca.org and its animal helpline can be reached on 03000 999 999.
As a result of the SSPCA's rehoming service being suspended, our Pet of the Week feature is also taking a break until after the Covid-19 crisis is over.
For more Covid-19 stories, click here.
