Ferne Animal Sanctuary has received a surprise donation of £2,000 to help its team look after pets in its care during the pandemic.

The donation was made by Support Adoption For Pets, the country’s largest grant-giving animal charity, to recognise the tireless efforts and hard work at the sanctuary since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

In total, the charity – which was set up by the retailer Pets At Home – is giving away nearly £600,000 to rescue centres up and down the country to help them look after the animals in their care as the financial hardship of Covid-19 continues.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary, near Chard, is partnered with Axminster’s Pets at Home store through its Support Adoption For Pets’ Charity of the Year programme – and thanks to this initiative it received a total of £8,545.98 in 2020.

To continually raise funds throughout the year, Support Adoption For Pets holds various fundraising activities such as its summer fundraiser and Santa Paws campaigns, encouraging donations online and in-store.

Charity manager Amy Angus said: “Our message was simple over Valentine’s Day weekend and it’s one that we’re really passionate about as a charity. We’re here to share the love and surprising Ferne Animal Sanctuary with a donation of £2,000 meant the world to them.

“The impact of Covid-19 is monumental and rescue centres continue to fall under real pressure. We’re reaching out to provide them with much needed financial help and to do our best to ensure that abandoned pets are given a second chance of happiness.

“Not only has the charity surprised rescue centres with nearly £600,000, we have also increased our emergency grant programme by £400,00 so rescues can apply for funding during these difficult times.”

Support Adoption For Pets was established by Pets at Home in 2006. Since then it has helped more than 1,000 rehoming centres and animal welfare organisations across the UK. In addition to its fundraising work, it also runs dedicated adoption centres in Pets at Home stores.

For more information, and to make a donation, you can visit: https://www.supportadoptionforpets.co.uk/support-us/donate/