A charity which has been improving the lives of the region's pets for 126 years has issued an appeal for support after its annual energy bill looks set to soar to £200,000.
Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter provides a safe haven for animals in need and has helped around 1,000 pets find their forever home this year. But for the animals that remain in the charity's care, rising energy costs are creating a welfare concern for the charity.
It comes as the Shelter's annual energy bill of around £50,000 looks likely to rise to around £200,000, contributing to what the charity has described as a 'perfect storm' this winter. The rising energy cost will put extra pressure on the charity which is also facing reduced donations and an anticipated increase in demand for their services as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
