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Coronavirus Kent: Animal conservation centres in Eynsford, Orpington and Rochester in desperate need of donations

By: Megan Carr mcarr@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 09:41, 07 April 2020

Updated: 11:50, 07 April 2020

Animal centres are appealing for food and donations following a decline in fundraising due to the coronavirus.

Eagle Heights near Eynsford is holding a campaign to help with the running costs of the wildlife foundation.

Eagle Heights, Eynsford. Picture: Steve Crispe

Waitrose in Sevenoaks is donating fruit and vegetables to the centre but Eagle Heights staff are still having to order the specific foods that the birds of prey eat, as well as Alpaca feed and meat for carnivores such as the African Servals and Huskies.

To support Eagle Heights and make a donation click here.

Foal Farm Animal Rescue in Biggin Hill, near Orpington is also appealing for help after it had to cancel all upcoming fundraising events and close charity shops.

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The independent animal rescue and sanctuary has been saving animals in Kent and London for almost 60 years.

Its 26 acre farm is home to 150-plus rescued farm animals, horses, ponies and birds and each year Foal Farm rehomes up to 700 cats, dogs and rabbits and houses up to 150 domesticated animals who are awaiting new homes at any given time.

Foal Farm doesn't put animals down, and is renowned for its care of elderly animals and those with special requirements and chronic conditions.

Alice, a rescued donkey who lives at Foal Farm permanently

However, the pandemic has left the farm in a frightening position.

Due to current lockdown restrictions, staff at Foal Farm are working long and difficult shifts without the help of their regular 200 volunteers, who provide essential support through feeding, cleaning and exercising the animals.

The cancellation of the charity shop fundraisers has led to losses of thousands for April alone.

In addition to losing vital sources of income, the charity's expenditure has increased due to stock shortages and having closed the farm, all regular donations of animal food, bedding and fresh produce have stopped. Foal Farm is now asking their community for support.

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If you can help support the charity visit their website here where you can make a direct donation to feed and medicate once-neglected or abandoned animals who have been rescued from abusive circumstances.

Ghost the fox at Fenn Bell Zoo in Allhallows, Rocester. Picture: The Fenn Bell Conservation Project Facebook page

Fenn Bell Conservation Project in Allhallows, Rochester, is also in desperate need of donations.

The centre holds Medway’s first zoo licence and all its animals have come through rescue or other zoos.

The site on a weekly basics costs £6,000 to run, which is about £312,000 a year.

The project is now shut to the public and as a result has lost much of its funding.

The Fenn Bell zoo is asking for donations of either financial support or fruit and veg, which can be left at the centre's main gate.

All the money raised will go to keep the zoo afloat over the coming months and secure the animals' future. To donate click here.

A tiger cub at Howletts zoo. Picture: David Mullaney

These pleas are just a handful from across the county.

The RSPCA has also appealed for donations so it can continue to save creatures in distress during the coronavirus outbreak.

Port Lympne and Howletts wild animal parks near Canterbury have also launched appeals to help fund their £1.5 million food bill.

Wingham Wildlife Park has admitted to facing difficult times as a result of the pandemic.

And Hemsley conservation centre near Gravesend is also in desperate need for animal food.

One of the Asian Short Clawed Otters at Hemsley Conservation Centre. Picture: Chris Davey

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Bexley and Bromley

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

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