Funding boost for Caithness and Sutherland animal welfare base
The local base of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the latest good cause to be awarded a £1000 grant from the North Highland Initiative’s Community Support Programme.
The animal welfare charity is using the money to pay for food, medicines and emergency veterinary treatment for around 25 animals in care and nine animals in foster care, as well as running its Caithness and Sutherland Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Balmore.
The Scottish SPCA receives no government funding and most of its income comes from fundraising and legacy-giving. In 2019 it cost £15.9 million to run the Scottish SPCA.
While its Caithness and Sutherland centre is closed to the public, the Scottish SPCA is unable to receive donations of food or money and its fundraising has all but stopped, so the support from the North Highland Initiative is allowing the charity to continue running its services.
Launched in March, the North Highland Initiative’s Community Support Programme is awarding grants of up to £1000 for small initiatives in the education, conservation, and community service and support sectors in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire.
Priority is being given to those initiatives where government support packages are unable to help, and those ineligible for emergency grants.
Scottish SPCA senior trusts officer Ailsa Alcock said: “The Scottish SPCA is extremely grateful to the North Highland Initiative's Community Support Programme for funding our Caithness and Sutherland Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.
“The grant will be used to buy animal food and pay for essential vet treatment for animals in our care, or being fostered in the local community, at this challenging time.
“The SCVO Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub has very clear information on how to apply for this fund. They were extremely helpful, and the application process was very straightforward and incredibly quick. I’d encourage other community groups to apply as soon as they can.”
For more information about the North Highland Initiative’s Community Support Programme, and to apply for funding, visit www.northhighlandinitiative.co.uk/community-support-covid19.