SCARN receives £500 Angel Grant to help gulls

We were delighted to be able to award SCARN (South Coast Sussex Gull Advice/Resource Network) a much-needed £500 Angel Grant this month. Justin's story is not uncommon. Animal and bird rescues are really struggling – there are just too many people and animals needing help, and not enough donating, volunteering, and playing a part in the vital circle of care. We can only hope that more people step up to carry the load of these amazing rescuers. Without them, so many more innocent beings will suffer.

Here is Justin's story:

Thank you so much for this [£500 Angel] Grant. At the end of another impossible summer season, nothing much has changed since last year. Our group has faced awful challenges: in addition to endless rescues, we have been forced to take on DIY roles including first aid, rehab practices, and going much further distances to get gulls where they needed to be.

While we had some drivers to help transport these birds, services were taken for granted, which led to the lowest amount of gulls rescued and many turned away. This took a massive toll on the few who helped, but it didn't stop the endless Facebook posts from the public during the summer needing/expecting help. This imbalance created a lack of facilities and cohesion within the group, leading to illness, exhaustion, and fatigue after having to ignore so many callouts and having to let birds go when they should have remained in captivity. The volunteer sector is decimated, and we were left to fend for ourselves.

Next year will be rehabbing only because of the lack of physical help. With more closures occurring on a daily basis throughout the UK, whether gulls get any help at all in a couple of years remains to be seen. The excuse of endless avian flu threats has been perfect for those who refuse to accept gulls as a form of wildlife that need help. And that is why this group exists, and will continue to, albeit independently. 

This grant will pay off exorbitant utility bills and car costs (I have run my car into the ground doing rescues). As a thank you to The Sanctuary Angels, I have maintained my monthly support as a donor, and I hope everyone else reading this does the same. 

Thank you so much for this grant. Justin King (Founder)