Danaher Animal Home

Danaher Animal Home - registered charity number no 1112369

Danaher Animal Home (www.danaheranimalhome.org.uk) is based near Wethersfield in north Essex. Every year it takes in and cares for around 500 dogs and cats, together with a variety of smaller animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs and the occasional bird, making every effort to find them permanent new homes with loving owners.

The charity is facing an unprecedented rise in the number of animals coming into care, as families struggle with huge rises in the cost of living, and are unable to afford food, vets bills and medication for their pets. At the same time, Danaher is experiencing a fall in donations, both directly from the public, and via funds raised from its charity shops; while also having to cope with its own rising costs, including an increase in staff wages to meet the new minimum wage, and escalating energy and pet food bills. It is also seeing a fall in the number of volunteers.

Many of the new arrivals also require specialist behavioural support, as families who took on a dog in lockdown were unable to train or socialise their pet properly, leaving the animals with behavioural issues, such as separation anxiety and aggression issues, all of which need to be managed before new homes can be found.

Although affiliated to, and working closely with, the RSPCA, Danaher is an independent charity and entirely self-funding. Average running costs are in excess of £800,000 a year, a figure that is achieved through a combination of fundraising activities and donations, as well as income from its six charity shops.

During the pandemic, the charity experienced a dramatic drop in income, losing well over £300,000 due to the enforced closure of its shops and cancellation of fundraising events such as its annual Summer Fun Day.