ANIMALS being cared for at one of the county's leading rescue centres have also fallen victim to the national lockdown.

While staff at Margaret Green Animal Rescue – which has two sites in Dorset and and one in Devon – have moved to reassure the public that animals within its care will be looked after for the duration, it has also confirmed animals will not be able to be rehoused during the lockdown period.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue charity shops will also close under the government regulations, further impacting the charity's ability to care for abandoned animals.

The charity has already lost important funding though the closure of its shops, the suspension of local events and the shutdown of its pet boarding site due to the pandemic.

Charity chief executive officer Geoff Wright said: “We continue to provide the highest care for the animals at our rescue centres.

"Their welfare is and always will be our priority. Thank you to all our staff and volunteers who have worked so hard in recent months to keep our doors open.

"We are extremely grateful to those who have shopped with us or made a donation, it really does make a huge difference to the lives of rescue animals."

However, with many empty boarding units available they continue to offer assistance to temporarily board animals belonging to frontline NHS workers who may find themselves in a change of circumstance and need support. Now the offer is also being made available to serving police staff and frontline Dorset and BCP Council social services care workers.

A Margaret Green Animal Rescue spokesman said: "With winter approaching and the need to provide bedding and food for the rescue animals increasing.

"This means that there is an even bigger urgency to raise funds and the charity are looking at creative ways they can continue to fundraise."

The charity is hoping to reopen for rehoming and boarding on December 3.

Visit margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk/Donate to make a donation.