FEATURE
Counting the rising costs of caring We all have rising fuel charges, but imagine trying to run an animal sanctuary as those costs keep increasing. It's far from easy. Animals in Need's Annie Marriott talks to Pulse's Sammy Jones about the added burden...
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o say that the majority of us are feeling the pinch right now is not to put too fine a point on it. Remember the time when you could fill your shopping trolley and not break the bank? With petrol prices rising ridiculously, you'll soon have to choose between the car or the fuel, but you'll not be able to afford both. Ok, it's not quite that bad, but every day the media delights in sharing its grim findings about the economy of the country, which increases anxiety. 34
Gas and electricity bills have risen exponentially and we're not even dealing with the chills of winter yet. It's tough and there's no end in sight. And for charities like Animals in Need, it's not dogs snapping at their heels that are the issue, it's those stress-inducing fuel bills dropping onto the doormat. Animals in Need are there to pick up the pieces when animals have been irresponsibly bred, and then thrown out like trash. Or when wildlife has been injured. Or when people pass away and their beloved furries are left alone. The reasons why animals end up at AIN are many, with some situations more complex than others. “We are receiving more animals than ever,” said AIN manager Annie, “A regular reason given is that people can't afford to care for them anymore. Our kennels and catteries are bursting with good boys and girls who don't understand why they are here. It's bewildering and scary for them.” And it means that AIN is faced with an everincreasing workload. AIN relies on its legion of supporters and fundraisers to keep them afloat and get the work done. A small staff
team are paid a modest salary to care for their 100s of animals, while more than 100 volunteers muck in and keep the centre in Little Irchester functioning. The people at AIN are warm and welcoming, but that doesn't sort out those substantial bills they are faced with; their last quarterly bill for electric and gas charges was close to £15k. No, that's not a typo. “For us to survive these kinds of crazy bills we need solar panels,” Annie said, “We simply will not survive such astronomical bills landing on our mat. It staggers me, to be honest. I purchased my first home 30 years ago for £28k and now the bills at the centre are more than half of that a quarter and about to get worse. It's ridiculous, and simply not sustainable.” You might think, 'surely they can turn off the heating,' 'turn down the thermostat a notch' and be a bit more responsible. But the truth is that AIN is in permanent economy mode. Every penny always counts here. It's that prudence which allows them to be there for any animal that needs support. But the squeeze is ever tightening.
August 2022 | NN Pulse Magazine | 22,000 Copies delivered every month door to door across Northamptonshire
