AN ANIMAL rescue centre is on the lookout for new volunteers after reopening last Saturday.

Furlock Holmes Animal Care, based in Micheldever Road, Whitchurch, temporarily closed its rescue centre to visitors at the end of March when lockdown began.

On Saturday, it reopened with a range of safety precautions in place. But due to some volunteers being unable to return to help out, the charity is now appealing to any fresh faces who may be interested in joining the team.

A message shared via the charity’s Facebook page read: “Are you furloughed and looking for something to do? Are you bored of being stuck indoors during lockdown?

“Due to some volunteers moving away and some unable to come due to shielding, we are looking for some new faces to join our friendly team!

“We have so much going on, no two days are ever the same! One day you may be giving a tour round the rescue to potential adopters, the next you may be nail clipping rabbits or walking a ferret.

“If you have a passion for animals, we need you! We are also particularly in need of volunteers willing to talk to members of the public when they visit. If you can help, please get in touch!”

Furlock Holmes Animal Care is a rescue centre offering both boarding facilities and visits from the public.

Prior to reopening last weekend, the facility announced a raft of measure that have been put in place to ensure the safety of supporters amid the coronavirus crisis.

They include a 'home check' process, in which only those households who pass the check will be able to visit the animals, plus a booking system to ensure visits can be spaced out and the premises cleaned in between.

A previous post on the charity’s Facebook page read: “We are very excited to announce that we will be reopening as of Saturday, June 20. However, things will be done slightly differently.

“Before any viewings, we will be completing a thorough home check process to reduce the number of unnecessary visitors. Only households who have passed the home check will be invited to meet the animals.

“We require all visitors to book an appointment time to ensure we can space things out and only have one family at the rescue at a time.

“Appointments will be booked with hour intervals to give us time to clean between each set of people and, whenever we can, we will put animals outside for viewings so that you don’t even have to come inside.

“We do still have a long financial struggle ahead, but, thanks to all of you, we hope to continue our work despite what the coronavirus throws at us. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.”

The charity has also issued a “massive thank you” to everyone who has supported it through this difficult time. For more information on the charity or to get in touch about volunteering, search ‘Furlock Holmes Animal Care’ or go to www.furlockholmes.co.uk.