National Lottery funding for our Community Pet Support Scheme
Published 10th May 2022
Leicester Animal Aid has been awarded £90,000 over three years from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. The money is to support our preventative outreach Community Pet Support Scheme (CPSS).
The grant is a huge boost for the CPSS which provides free support with practical pet care for vulnerable and socially isolated pet owners, allowing them to care for their pets within their own home. The Scheme supports clients in Blaby, Oadby & Wigston and Hinckley & Bosworth. Pets provide purpose, friendship, hope, structure and someone to talk to. The Scheme celebrates this and helps to prevent well-loved animals from entering rescue. In short, it keep best friends together. YFind out more about the CPSS here.
This new National Lottery funding will help to fund the salaries of the Animal Care Assistants and Coordinator of the Scheme who make such a difference to the lives of our clients and their pets. The team are skilled in both supporting vulnerable people and working with animals. They provide expert and empathetic care to the client and their pet. The dedication and hard work of the team, who often go above and beyond to support their clients and their pets, is key to the success of the Scheme.
“Sometimes the Animal Care Assistants are the only people I get to see during the whole day and the fact that they sit and talk to me about my babies after their walk means the world to me.”
“It’s been a godsend because I have chest problems and can’t walk far, and to be able to get my dogs the exercise that they so much deserve, that I used to love to do with them, it is brilliant. It gives me the relief to know that the girls are getting the exercise that they need, and my Animal Care Assistant is my lifeline.”
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes a share of this to projects to support people and communities to prosper and thrive.
Keely Short, Leicester Animal Aid’s General Manager says:
“Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can reassure our clients that we can continue to provide this life-changing support. Not only does this Scheme ensure pets and their owners stay together, but is an innovative way of identifying, supporting and helping to reconnected socially isolated people with their community through a shared love of animals. This will make a big difference to people’s lives.”
Leicester Animal Aid is thrilled to have been supported with such a significant contribution over the next three years. The funding will provide stability and an opportunity to build long-term support to ensure that the CPSS can continue to support current clients and to grow in the future.
During the pandemic, in 2020 alone, The National Lottery Community Fund distributed almost £1 billion to charities and community organisations across the UK. The CPSS received £9,040 from the National Lottery Community Fund during this time to help Leicester Animal Aid to continue to provide support and a vital lifeline for those who are vulnerable and isolated. Find out more about The National Lottery here.