Scottish SPCA reopens Highlands and Islands centre on appointment only basis
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The Scottish SPCA are to partially reopen their Highlands and Islands Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre to the public after closing their doors in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
Along with the charity’s eight other centres across Scotland, on Monday the Inverness centre will move from being completely closed to the public to allowing people in on an appointment only basis.
While online rehoming will remain the default, the society will now allow those without internet access or who are unable to complete the application form online to telephone the centre on 03000 999 999 to arrange an appointment. The appointment will allow members of the public to view suitable animals via a tablet at the centre and get assistance from staff to complete the online application form if needed.
Between March and December 2020 the number of animals re-homed by the Highlands and Islands Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre fell by around 43% compared with the same period in 2019.
It’s hoped that this partial reopening will make it easier for long-term residents like Tam, Ollie, Piper, Neep and Banter the cockerels to find their forever home.
Manager of the centre, Elaine Floyd, said: “We’re delighted to start welcoming people back to our centre.
“We really hope these telephone appointments for rehoming will make the centre more accessible for everyone and help animals like these cockerels find their forever home.
“We have five cockerels in our care, who have been in with us for 192 days. They are all aged between eight months and a year old.
“Tam, Ollie, Piper, Neep and Banter would be looking to be rehomed separately to rural homes, hopefully with some lovely hens they can look after.
“Any of these handsome boys would make a great addition to someone’s flock. We’re hoping now that we’re opening up the centre a bit more and travel restrictions have eased we can find the right person for them.”
All nine of the Scottish SPCA’s animal rescue and rehoming centres will be open for appointments from 1pm until 3.30pm, Friday to Monday from May 17.
Anyone wishing to donate items can drop these off at the designated donation point at any time without an appointment.
If anyone wishes to rehome an animal the Scottish SPCA asks that they do not attend the centre without an appointment. Appointments can be made by calling the centre directly on 03000 999 999, option two.
Alternatively, all available animals can be viewed and applied for online at: https://www.scottishspca.org/rehome/rehome
