The coronavirus pandemic has proved a challenge for animal shelters in Cumbria but the generosity of the community has helped to keep the vital work that they do going.

Animal Rescue Cumbria relies on donations to provide its service to the vulnerable animals of the county, searching for forever homes for the residents.

Marion Yates, the general manager of Animal Rescue Cumbria, said: “The pandemic has presented significant challenges for the shelter this year; we were forced to suspend our intakes and adoptions for several months and our usual fundraising activities were placed on hold.

“We rely totally on donations to continue our work, so our income has been much reduced.

“We have, however, been overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, who have supported us through their own fundraising, through donations to our new charity shop in Kendal, and through kind gifts for our animals.

“Since July, we have seen huge interest in our animals, some of them receiving between 30 and 60 enquiries, and it has been good to see them moving quickly on to their forever homes.”

The shelter tries to keep numbers low over the holiday period, in preparation for those who may be surrendered to in the New Year.

This year, Animal Rescue Cumbria has found new homes for 188 cats and 83 dogs.

One of the adorable residents of the shelter hoping to find a new home is 18-month-old Patterdale Frank, who has been at the shelter for 222 days – almost half of his entire life.

Ted, an adorable six-year-old ginger and white cat, has spent 33 days in the shelter and is hoping to find a new home in 2021.

Coral, a five-year-old cat, has spent a long time at the shelter due to medical problems but has now been adopted as the shelter cat and is doing well.

Lucky pup Sky, three, was at the shelter for just seven days before heading to her new home for Christmas.

Border collie Izzy also made it home for the holidays, leaving the shelter on Christmas Eve to start her new life.

If you would like to enquire about one of the adorable companions waiting for a home, you can visit the Animal Rescue Cumbria website at www.animalrescuecumbria.co.uk

Alternatively, you can call the shelter team on 01539 824293.