Flori’s Friends Rescue, a sanctuary for paralysed dogs near Canterbury in Kent, is struggling to meet the demand for its services as the cost of living crisis impacts donations. The charity is now forced to turn away up to three pets in need daily.
The rescue home provides end-of-life care and rehoming services, accepting animals from across the UK and abroad, including from Gaza, Oman, China, and Greece. Natalia George, the founder of Flori’s Friends Rescue, expressed her concern to BBC Radio Kent: “We have seen a huge rise in the number of dogs waiting to come in and a massive decrease in donations.”
In response to the financial strain, the charity has launched an urgent fundraiser with a goal of £5,000. The funds are crucial for covering the “crippling number of bills” required to purchase specialist equipment for the animals.
Ms. George highlighted that the immediate need for funds includes a new prosthetic leg for a dog injured by a lorry and a leg brace for a Border Collie receiving end-of-life care. She noted that many of the injuries sustained by the rescue dogs are “human-inflicted.”
Additionally, there has been an increase in dogs being referred to the charity, not only due to abuse but also because their owners can no longer afford to keep them amidst rising costs, Ms. George explained.
Flori’s Friends provides paralysed dogs with custom-made leg-replacement wheels, enabling them to walk on all terrains. The dogs also receive hydrotherapy sessions and enjoy two-hour walks daily. “It gives them the freedom any other dog has. They can play fetch, play tug of war, they can do really naughty things,” said Ms. George.
The charity adheres to a strict no-kill policy, ensuring that dogs are not euthanised unless absolutely necessary.
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