LOVE Gorgie Farm appeals for standby vets in case staff need to self-isolate due to coronavirus

A popular city farm is seeking volunteers with vet and animal caring experience in case staff have to self-isolate due to coronavirus.

LOVE Gorgie Farm is currently operating as a foodbank and is closed to visitors because of the outbreak.

But their team of three are still working behind closed doors to maintain the site and take care of the animals until the situation goes back to normality.

LOVE Gorgie Farm is seeking volunteers with veterinary and animal caring skills to volunteer in case staff are affected by coronavirus.

Managers at the farm are now looking to build a contingency plan to secure the welfare of the animals by building a database of volunteers who would be able to step in if a scenario was given where any members of the team fell sick or needed to self-isolate.

Temporary closure

LOVE Gorgie Farm, which opened its doors to the public last month, decided to temporarily close earlier this week in order to ensure the safety of its visitors, staff and animals.

It currently operates as a foodbank for the most vulnerable and delivers free breakfast every morning to the children of the community now that schools are closed.

Lynn Bell, CEO of LOVE Learning, the education and social care charity operating LOVE Gorgie Farm, said: “The fact that we are closed to the public does not mean that the farm is not operational. We still have our dedicated team working very hard to ensure the welfare of farm.

“To do this, it is vital that we have a contingency plan in case anyone in the team falls sick or needs to self-isolate, so that our animals are well looked after.

“We understand that in this particular moment in time there is an enormous pressure on front line workers, and these of course includes veterinarians.

“Taking this into consideration, we are only asking those that would like to volunteer to register with us and if at any point we need their help we will get in touch with them.

“We are overwhelmed by all the support and generosity we have received from the community during these critical times. It has certainly surpassed all our expectations and we are sure that their invaluable help will continue to amaze us as we work through this crisis.”

Those wanting to get in touch with the farm should contact [email protected]

Earlier this month, the new charity owners of the popular attraction published a wishlist of items to buy online to help care for the animals as more people started to feel the social and economic impact of coronavirus.

Much-needed donations includedrabbit pills, snake bedding and rodent shampoo.

Anyone wanting to contribute should visit HERE