A Bridgend rescue centre has spoken out against the online abuse it has received in recent months.
Waggs and Whiskers, formerly known as Bridgend Animal Rescue (BARC), was set to close after claiming users were incessantly trolling its social media pages.
However, a support volunteer stepped up to take it over under a new name and with new management.
Read more: Two dogs born and raised in a barn have been waiting 300 days for a new home
Despite rebranding and reopening on October 31 this year, the online abuse has continued - and could result in volunteers closing down the animal rescue for good.
A spokesperson said: “I had a message saying I stole a cat for money. I have been called a rat on social media. I’ve been accused of selling on Bosnian dogs without papers.
“People are not willing to give donations to Waggs as they are listening to trolls on social media.”
With each month’s vet bills nearing £1,000, the community rescue centre simply cannot run without donations from the public.
The spokesperson added: “We want to prove to the community that we are who we are and we are not going away.
“We are here for love and to help the animals and being trolled is dangerous.
“Yes, we do ask for donations to cover vets, flea treatment, food, blankets but I am topping it up as there are no donations coming in.”
It has been said the former BARC staff stepped away from the rescue following a 'cyberbullying campaign', saying they “had to put their wellbeing first”.
The rescue was set up in 2018, originally to provide fostering for pets of people who had been hospitalised and were unable to look after them.
BARC came under fire last month for proposing people could hire its animals for £85 at a time for “pet parties”.
They said they would only offer up “happy, healthy” rescue pets for children’s parties and that they were fully licensed and insured.
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