How we are managing the COVID-19 outbreak

Last updated: 12/06/2020

To see our most recent update regarding COVID-19 click here.

This is a live web page, we will continue to update the information here when we have information and updates to share.

We are taking the threat posed by COVID-19 very seriously and although we are now closed to the public until further notice, our staff team are working tirelessly to ensure we can continue to provide the essential care needed by the animals in our care, and our vets are still on hand to admit ill and injured stray animals and wildlife. We kindly ask anyone looking to support us through this challenging time to consider making a donation to our urgent appeal, you can donate here: Help Bristol A.R.C. Now Appeal. Below is a list of changes to our services. You can also find information and updates on our news page.

Animal Home:

We have now completed all the existing adoptions that were booked in. As we have had to close to the public for the foreseeable future, we are unable to arrange new adoptions until further notice.

We will are not able to accept new gift animals in until further notice.
In agreement with Bristol City Council we will be running a reduced service for stray dogs, which will restrict the time in which stray dogs can be accepted to between the hours of 8.00am – 5.00pm daily. Outside of these hours, members of the public will be encouraged to retain possession of the stray dog temporarily until it is able to be brought to us.

Our Clinic:

Our Clinic Team can take in injured or unwell strays and wildlife. We will be accepting emergencies and urgent cases only, with social distancing measures in place.
Wildlife must be brought in to us in a box (or suitable secure container with air holes), or placed in a box that will we provide in Clinic reception.
We will be postponing all of our Outreach Clinics, in Lawrence Weston and Knowle West, until further notice, but we continue to support our outreach clients by regular phone consultation, and provision of essential medicine for these patients by post.

Events:
All of our scheduled events and fundraising activities have been postponed until further notice. We will provide further information about events scheduled to take place further in the future as we know more. However we will be moving some of our events online – so please join us on our social media channels to keep up to date with virtual events and activities that will be taking place soon!

Offers of support, including foster homes and donations of items:

• We’ve been so touched by the offers of support from everyone, from offers of food and bedding to foster homes. We certainly may need to call on you in the coming weeks and months, as this is an ever changing situation, but for now we are not asking our supporters to donate food or other items, or to take animals in for fostering. As mentioned, this is very much a live situation, and this information may change, if and when that does we will update the information on our website and social media to let you know. Thank you so much once again to each and every one of you for thinking of us at this time, it really does mean a lot to us.

Financial donations:

• We’ve been truly touched by the offers of support that we’ve received in these difficult times. For those supporters that wish to make financial donation, and are in a position to do so, donating to our Help Bristol A.R.C. Now Appeal would be the best way to help us right now. We will continue to have our day to day running costs, and anticipate increased costs in the coming months with a likely increase in the need for our to supports animals in need in Bristol. To make a donation online you can do so here Call us on 0117 9803 906 (Monday - Friday) Text: text HELPBARCNOW (and the amount you want to donate) to 70085 – e.g. to donate £5 just text: ‘HELPBARCNOW 5’ and send it to 70085. This will cost you your donation amount plus a standard rate message. Any amount you are able to give will make a difference – thank you.

Our staff team:

We are making these changes so that we can protect our front line staff team as best as we can, in order to continue to look after the animals that need our care.
We have also implemented the recommendations of Public Health England across our Rescue Centre, and will continue to ensure that all our animals are being well cared for at all times. All staff members are being extra diligent in terms of self-care and personal hygiene, and are encouraged to self-isolate and call 111 if they experience symptoms, visit a high risk Category 1 zone, or come into contact with anyone they know or suspect may have the virus.