Volunteers at a Powys animal rescue charity are having to delve into their own pockets to help keep animals fed after the lockdown left them without income from donations.

Powys Animal Rescue, which has shops in Llanidloes, Newtown and Welshpool, says its income has all but disappeared.

They are asking people to donate to the charity through bank transactions to support them through the coronavirus crisis.

Janine Wilbraham, volunteer, said: “We’ve got no income at all to help the animals. We’ve had to shut all our shops, so we’re struggling.

“We’ll never let the animals starve. Some of our volunteers are feeding them out of their own pockets.”

The charity looks after more than 100 cats and cares for a few dogs at a local animal sanctuary.

“The food bills average at around £400 per week,” Janine added.

“The vet bills are up to £1,000 a month. I think our vet bill last time was £8,000. Luckily the vets let us pay up when we can. But on average a pound provides four meals.”

“Even if people wanted to donate a pound or set up a monthly thing. You’d be surprised how far £3 helps. And people want to help because we can’t accept donations to the shop now.”

Pets can positively benefit the wellbeing of elderly owners, especially for many who are living on their own.

Before the lockdown, the charity helped deliver pet food to pensioners who were struggling to provide for their animals. While the shops have been closed and most of the volunteers, who are aged over 70, are in self-isolation, the charity says it is worried about their regular service users.

“It’s the older people I used to help out are who I’m worried about,” Janine said.

“I did take food to various people including a lady who has six dogs and she’s coping on a pension,. We used to help in the area by delivering food but now we can’t get the donations. It’s a big problem.”

“Everyone is so short of money. We have a lot of pensioner supporters, but they have no way of knowing how to support us.”

For more information on how to donate during the lockdown, telephone Janine on 01597 870039.