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Animal charity bosses say financial pressures caused by the coronavirus lockdown has cast the future of creatures in their care into doubt.
Four hundred animals are cared for at Happy Endings Rescue, just off the M2 near Faversham.
While bosses say they would never be euthanised under their care, they have shared concerns that if the charity is forced to close due to financial hardship, animals could face being put down at the hands of other organisations.
Founded by Chris Johns and partner Terry Kemp more than a decade ago, Happy Endings takes on strays, pets that can no longer be cared for, and creatures from other organisations.
Domestic animals including cats, dogs, rabbits and ponies are available for adoption. Those unsuitable for keeping as pets - such as emus, meerkats, polynesian cats, and birds of prey including an eagle owl rescued from a wardrobe inside a flat - are looked after by the charity, and can be visited by members of the public.
Supported by 30 volunteers and four members of staff, it costs a basic rate of about £8,000-a-month to keep the charity running, excluding its mortgage and extras such as building new enclosures.
But the coronavirus lockdown has brought with it huge financial problems.
All the charity’s summer fundraising events have been cancelled as a result of the pandemic, which Mr Johns, 33, estimates will lose it at least £30,000.
Meanwhile, a number of people have cancelled their monthly standing orders to the Happy Endings since the crisis began.
To cover the site’s mortgage, Mr Johns and Mr Kemp run a pet boarding service on-site. But with summer holidays unlikely to go ahead, they have lost this vital income.
The pair have also been forced to increase the amount spent on paid staff as their team of volunteers are currently unable to visit the site, while the bosses themselves are working seven days a week to keep things running.
Mr Johns says the charity has about two months-worth of funds in reserve, but is appealing for financial donations to help it keep running through the crisis.
“It’s stressful,” said Mr Johns. “If we close, we’d have to put pressure onto other organisations to help bail us out.”
A large proportion of animals at Happy Endings are there because of profound behavioural and medical problems.
“If we had to pull out a contingency plan and get other places to take animals that we have here, no-one can guarantee other places will put up with the behavioural issues that we have with lots of our residents,” he said.
“We have dogs here that bite. There’s not many centres that will keep dogs like we have here. We have horses that have got terrible medical issues.
“They’re only here because we’re the only place that would keep them.
“Other places had them on their euthanasia list.
“We would never have them put to sleep. I would have to beg other people to take them, and hope that they make the right decisions for them.
But I can’t stop anyone pulling out their protocols and going ‘this isn’t going to pass a behaviour assessment to live here, therefore we have to euthanise it’.
“They’re safe here, but I can’t guarantee what future they would have if they went into the hands of other organisations.”
Those keen to help support Happy Endings Rescue are are asked to donate or sponsor an animal, by visiting its website.
Alternatively, pay-forward a bag of feed by calling the charity’s feed company Gillett Cook on 01795 523400.
For more information, visit Happy Endings Rescue’s Facebook page.
For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.
Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.
