A Salford animal charity manager has said that the group is in ‘absolute dire straits’ after soaring costs and a drop in donations have left them with outstanding bills.
Animals In Distress in Irlam has made several appeals this week for donations of money, pet food, cat litter, and bedding.
This comes after a spell of increasing vet bills and inflating wholesale prices, accompanied by a 25% increase in animal neglect over the past two years – according to RSPCA figures. The latter of which is causing more animals to be surrendered to charities such as Irlam’s Animal’s In Distress.
The charity was founded in 1967 by Sylvia Durham MBE, and staff pride themselves on helping as many animals in need as they can.
“We were going from strength to strength since the 1980’s,” general manager Melanie Dunn said. “But now we’re just getting weaker and weaker everyday.”
“I’ve worked out today that to run Animals In Distress it is currently costing us £7,000 a week,” said Melanie, who works alongside her daughter Christina.
“Since the pandemic, our donations have definitely slowed down. Before the pandemic, the postman would bring our donations from the post and I would spend a full day opening them before cashing them in at the bank.”
(Image: Google)
Charities Aid Foundation found that charities are now relying on donations from 50% of people, down from 58% in 2024. Donations had particularly decreased in the North-West of England.
“A few years ago, people would rent out one of our barns for weddings and birthday parties whereas now people know they can do these things at home for free,” Melanie said. Previously, the fees to rent the barn belonging to the charity would go directly to helping animals.
The charity famously received a call in the 1980’s to help an elephant that had escaped a circus, and also took in a panther cub. But today, their focus is on cats, dogs, rabbits, donkeys, and general call outs for emergency call-outs across Greater Manchester.
“The thing is everybody is struggling, and that’s why we’re seeing less and less help for the charity,” she said.
Inflation and the cost of living crisis are contributing factors to the charities struggles. One tub of DEFRA approved disinfectant is costing the charity £3000, and Melanie claimed that the charity’s chosen veterinarian clinic is only treating emergency cases brought to them due to outstanding bills.
Things could only become worse for Animals In Distress as winter and Christmas approach.
“We get puppies and kittens two weeks before Christmas and two weeks after Christmas,’ Melanie said. “People buy them for their children, and by the time the holidays are finished they have to surrender their pet because they don’t have the time to train them.
“We just need weekly and monthly donations from people and businesses, we are shredding paper for cat litter because there is no money to buy it – we are in absolute dire straits.”
Melanie recently pawned a gold bracelet intended for her daughter, in order to generate some cash for the charity.
She added: ‘I’m trying to do as much as I can but it is heart breaking for everyone – especially the animals.”
Animals In Distress operates a charity shop in Irlam and Swinton, and also a GoFundMe has been set up for additional support. Donations can be made here. Their animal sanctuary is based on Silver Street in Irlam, where food and bedding donations can be delivered.
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