THE charity behind the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross has issued an appeal for help after donations plummeted in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) could lose up to 20 per cent of its income this year, after around 1,500 members stopped their monthly donations.

Fundraising events and challenges have also had to be cancelled, which is another blow for the organisation – which relies entirely on donations to fund its work.

And often, the SSPCA's work can be the difference between life or death for wild animals such as Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli – three orphaned baby barn owls currently being cared for at the charity's Wee County site.

The triplets were discovered in a shallow burrow in Inverness with their mother's body nearby.

Without a call to the Scottish SPCA's animal helpline, the owls stood no chance of survival in the wild on their own.

Now three weeks old, they are currently being hand-fed by the wildlife experts at the centre.

As they get older they will eventually be able to eat and fend for themselves before being released back into the wild.

Wildlife manager Steven Gray said: "Our frontline teams, whether on our helpline, out on the road, or in a rescue centre, are still here fighting to rescue and care for every single animal we can.

"We know Scotland is a nation of animal lovers and now, more than ever, we ask that they don't forget the animals.

"Our aim is to be here as long as animals and people need us, giving the likes of Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli a second chance in life

"Every single person who signs up to support us with a monthly donation will make a difference and will save lives."

To reinforce Steven's message, the Scottish SPCA has launch a 'don't forget the animals' campaign to spread the word that it needs support for its vital work.

And the support of people in Clacks and elsewhere really could make a difference.

Currently, more than 700 animals are receiving rehabilitation at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre, which is getting busier all the time as the weather improves.

But it is costly work, and the centre needs more than £70,000 every month to fully function.

So, to support the SSPCA's work, visit scottishspca.org/join