A BIRD sanctuary set up a fundraising page to get through to the end of the year as increased costs and lockdowns were a “devastating blow” to its income.
Sharandys Birds of Prey in Chard has set up a JustGiving page to raise £3000 to keep the centre open.
Owners Sharon Cox and her son Matt Banks thought they could recover after Covid but they are now asking for the public’s help.
Recently, the Avian Flu ban - the second one for the centre in recent times after the one imposed in April - and the rise in energy bills and food costs, were “another devastating blow to our income”, they said.
The centre is currently in an Avian influenza prevention zone after restrictions imposed by DEFRA on August 31.
Sharon said: “It’s a prevention zone and people can not come in. We don’t have any options if we want to protect our birds. We hope it doesn’t last too long.”
Sharon and her son Matt also said: “With all the things that have been happening over the last few years, things are starting to hit us at Sharandys, after Covid, we thought we could start to recover.
“Since then, we have had to lockdown twice because of Avian Flu, the second one which was announced last week, this is another devastating blow to our income.
“With the increased cost of food etc, we now embarrassingly feel asking for help is the only way we are going to get through this.
“We are proud people and have held off having to ask in the past. But, if we don’t, we are unsure of the future for Sharandys.
“We know times are hard for us all but if anyone can help us, and the birds we would be so very grateful.
“The alternative doesn't bear thinking. These birds are our life, and we will do whatever we need to for them. £3000 will get us through to the end of the year. Thank you, Sharon and Matt.”
A regional Asian Influenza Prevention Zone was declared by Defra on August 31 to "reduce the risk of the transmission of avian influenza to poultry and other captive birds from wild birds or any other source".
It has been brought in following a number of cases in poultry and wild and captive birds in the South West.
The centre was previously closed following an Avian Flu outbreak in April as restrictions were imposed by DEFRA.
Sharandys’ JustGiving page can be visited here.
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