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<p>Animal rescue organisations do excellent work, often on a voluntary basis, protecting
animals against cruelty and ensuring that unwanted and abandoned animals in the UK
are offered the opportunity of a forever home. I am acutely aware that the coronavirus
pandemic, and specifically the measures put in place to control the spread of the
virus, continue to affect individuals, businesses and charities caring for animals.</p><p>
</p><p>The sector has kept us regularly updated of the developing situation, sharing
their surveys particularly with respect to the rescue and rehoming of companion animals,
and sharing information on cruelty investigations.</p><p> </p><p>The latest figures
from a survey by the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) show that although
the animal rescue sector has seen a drop in income during the pandemic the financial
sustainability in the sector appears to be improving. This suggests that rescues have
adapted to the new situation either through fundraising in different ways or taking
advantage of grants made available by the ADCH and other sources. More rescues are
now taking in dogs and cats and more are rehoming. In Quarter 4 of 2020 there was
a 24% year on year reduction of cat intake and a 32% reduction in dogs entering rescues.
68% of rescues have reported more people wish to foster dogs or cats and 58% wish
to rehome a dog or cat.</p><p> </p><p>National equine welfare charities have also
kept us closely informed of the status of the Covid-19 Equine Rescues Emergency Fund
established by the Pet Plan Charitable Trust together with World Horse Welfare and
the National Equine Welfare Council. The current picture of equine welfare is better
than feared, but we continue to keep things under review.</p><p> </p><p>Defra remains
committed to continued engagement with the sector to understand the longer-term impacts
of the coronavirus pandemic, monitor the animal welfare implications of this and offer
appropriate advice.</p>
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