A Christmas message from our Chair, Sue Vout

Dear Supporter,

I am delighted to be writing this year’s Christmas Newsletter in my 6th year as Stray Aid’s Chairman. As we venture through the post-pandemic world, our staff and volunteers continue to work as hard as ever in supporting hundreds of stray and abandoned dogs and unwanted cats each year, enabling them to be cared for in loving homes for life.

With the rising cost of living, this year has been a difficult year for us all. Stray Aid has responded positively, continuing to provide a safe place for the stray dogs from our council areas. However, it has not been without its challenges. As the cost-of-living crisis escalates, so does the cost of heating, materials, and veterinary care at the centre.

In the post-pandemic world, the demands are both changing and increasing. Over a million new families became first time pet owners during the pandemic. As we now return to normality, many dogs are suffering from separation anxiety and other behavioural issues, and sadly are being abandoned, leaving rescues like ours to pick up the pieces. We are taking in more young pups than ever before, are witnessing an influx of poorly socialised and untrained adolescents and are looking after an increasing number of abandoned older dogs with underlying health problems. The level of care needed is putting significant pressure on our staff and resources, resulting in us having to rely on our supporters more than ever. We have had no control over our intake but have done the very best for every dog coming into our care, which is why we are so very thankful for your support.

Despite the challenges, we are working hard behind the scenes to ensure the future strength and stability of our charity for years to come. Our shops have continued to do well this year and we are building our online charity retail sales through Ebay and Vinted. None of this would have been possible without the donation of time from our dedicated volunteers.

We are very grateful to everyone who has continued to support us through this very difficult time, and especially to those of you who have signed up to donate monthly, including our Team SAFE members, providing a regular income and ensuring the survival of our charity in the future. If you are interested in joining Team SAFE, please visit www.strayaid.org.uk/team-safe for further details.

On behalf of everyone at Stray Aid, we would like to wish you all best wishes for the festive season and a prosperous 2023.

Sue Vout, Chairman