Smithtown's Guardians Of Rescue: 'Struggling' Amid Coronavirus

SMITHTOWN, NY — Guardians of Rescue, a Smithtown-based not-for-profit with the goal of rescuing abandoned animals, is facing financial hardship due to the new coronavirus, the organization said in a news release.

"Most of us are aware of the toll that the pandemic is having on humans around the country, and even around the world," the organization stated. "Yet the economic impacts are being felt beyond humans. The animals are being impacted in numerous ways through this situation, leaving some animal rescue organizations to struggle in being able to provide their services."

The organization has had an increase in dogs to care for, while its financial stability to do so declines, it said. The organization is "overwhelmed," as people hit hardest by the coronavirus struggle to feed their pets, as well as the abandoned animals taken in after being left to fend for themselves. Guardians of Rescue is asking the public to save it amid the pandemic.

"We have been providing our rescue services for over 10 years, but now we are struggling to keep our organization going," Robert Misseri, president of Guardians of Rescue, said. "We are in jeopardy because of the perfect storm that this pandemic has created for organizations such as ours. Many people are living paycheck to paycheck, so pets are in trouble."

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The coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, has had the following effects on Guardians of Rescue, according to the organization:

• Due to so many people having their employment impacted by the virus, donations to the organization are down, making it difficult for it to continue feeding the animals, building doghouses, taking in new rescues, and trying to cover expenses.
• Some rescue organizations are seeing adoptions and fosters up, but this is because people are homebound right now. This leaves the shelters worried about what will happen to the animals when people go back to work.
• There are some people who fear for their own well-being and financial stability, which motivates them to drop their pets off at the rescue shelter. They feel they can’t adequately take care of their pets during this time, so they surrender them, putting more strain on shelters.
• Many shelters have to cancel fundraising events that usually bring in a lot of money to fund their programs. Additionally, some shelters offer spring break camps as a fundraising tool, and those had to be canceled due to the coronavirus.
• Many rescue organizations and shelters are trying to help people care for their pets by providing them with food. This helps to keep the person from surrendering the animals to the shelter or rescue organization.
• Food donations to many shelters are down, as people are focused on their own families and are staying home. This leaves shelters scrambling to try to come up with enough money and food to continue feeding all of the animals, as well as providing them with any medical care they may need.

"The pandemic has created a host of problem for the animals," Misseri said. "I hope that we can make it through this difficult time, so that we can continue to help the animals in need. Our programs have helped countless animals, including military members. Without the support of the community, we will not survive and we cannot help the animals who so desperately need our assistance."

For those wishing to support Guardians of Rescue through a donation, click here.

Guardians of Rescue provides assistance to animals out on the streets and investigates animal cruelty cases. While located in Smithtown, the organization helps animals around the United States. The not-for-profit also helps Military members with their pets. To learn more, click here.