SUMMER heatwaves and a lack of water has left a charity which helps to look after and rehome pets facing major difficulties as it has been unable to grow its own food to feed the animals.
Rebecca Hefford, of Paws and Claws, said she grows her own fruit and vegetables for the various animals she cares for.
But, the dry, hot summer has left her feeling “very stuck” when it comes to providing food as it “costs a fortune” to buy produce.
“I’ve only got a well that’s about three inches deep and we only get the water that runs past,” she said. “So, the water has been very low, and the pump doesn’t always work.”
As Paws and Claws is only a small charity, donations are few and far between, she said, adding that in previous years Islanders had donated extra vegetables, “but this year we haven’t heard from anybody”.
The lack of wet weather even led to one of the horses escaping to the next field over as “they’re desperate to actually get some proper food,” despite having plenty of hay.
Miss Hefford added how the lack of greenery means there is “nothing much” she can do, and instead of going through one bag of mixed corn a week, the charity is going through two or three, because they have to “substitute a lot of feed”. She estimated that taking care of the animals through the heat would cost her around £4,500.
“It all has to be totally self-funded and I scrabble getting bits and pieces off people to try and keep the place going,” she said. “In future years, it will be the same. It will be more expensive as we go.”
When asked how people can help, Miss Hefford said that any small donation, or excess of old vegetables and fruit would make “a lot of difference,” with anybody welcome to come up and see the animals.
