West Norfolk RSPCA branch launches appeal for replacement animal ambulance
The RSPCA West Norfolk Branch has launched an ambitious fundraising campaign to raise £38,000 to fund a new animal ambulance which will be used to help the rescue animals in their care.
The branch - which runs the Eau Brink Rehoming Centre in West Norfolk - desperately needs to replace its old diesel ambulance which is currently costing them more than £100 a week to fill up.
The new ambulance would be electric and the branch would be able to run the vehicle for free from the electricity generated from solar panels which were also paid for by generous animal lovers following a previous fundraising campaign.
The old van is too small - and due to licensing requirements - it means the branch is only ever able to transport one species at a time . This means they are unable to carry cats, dogs and rabbits together - resulting in lots of unnecessary journeys, and added expense. The new van would enable more animals to be transported together to the vets - saving on cost and also time.
As well as taking animals to the vets for check ups, neutering and vaccinations the ambulance is also used to collect animals from locations, and also to collect items donated to the branch charity shops.
Carl Saunders, branch manager, said: “Our supporters have always been incredible and they recently helped us raise money for some solar panels at the centre and we want to say thank you to them from the bottom of our hearts.
“However as a charity during these difficult times we still always need support and help - which is why we are crowdfunding, via the via the Aviva Community Fund, to buy a new electric ambulance.
“It would be incredible if we could meet our target as we know it is very ambitious - but if we do, it would mean we would be able to save almost £400 a month as the solar panels would in effect provide us with almost free motoring. And the fuel money saved would then be put back into looking after the animals in our care.
“We could help more dogs like Lucie, a sweet little staffie who came into us in a dreadful condition and probably would have only survived another couple of days.
Lucie weighed just 8kg (17.6lb) and every vertebrae was visible. She had quite frankly been starved, to start with we were feeding her four times a day and she was almost eating the bowl! Now her coat looks amazing and she weighs almost 20kg (44.1lb) - it's taken four months but now Lucie is ready to go to her new home.
“We help hundreds of animals every year - such as cats, dogs, rabbits, and small furries. With the cost of living crisis on us, and nearly one in five owners worried about feeding their pets according to the RSPCA's Kindness Index, we know people are going to need our help even more. This is why we ask if anyone can spare just a few pounds to help our fundraising appeal for the new ambulance. You will be making a direct impact in helping one of the many animals in our care.”
To donate, visit the Branch’s fundraising page at:
https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/electric-animal-ambulance?fbclid=IwAR0kg7S93F0fAi8IQwx3w2olvM-BznrTzo9-5ooZpF1qGdY8DClO0zI6-Jc
The Norfolk West Branch is a separately registered charity to the national RSPCA.
