WETHERIGGS Animal Rescue Centre has been forced to close because of a nearby outbreak of avian flu.
The centre, at Greta Bridge, is on the edge of a three-kilometre protection zone put in place after an outbreak of the disease near Ravensworth last week.
The closure of the shelter could not have come at a worse time as staff were preparing for their major fundraising event of the year - a Christmas open day due to take place on Saturday, December 11.
Terry Bowes, who runs Wetheriggs, said: “It’s our big fundraiser to get us through the winter. Obviously, this is going to put great pressure on our already limited funds but we have to look at it from the point of view of protecting what we have.”
The centre also relies heavily on hatching rare breed fowl for funds but has stopped all of its sales because of the heavy restrictions on the movement of birds.
This includes getting a licence from a veterinary inspector.
Measures have been put in place to reduce the risk of exposure, such as disinfectant mats placed at all entrances to buildings where animals are housed.
Mr Bowes said the closure was made after consultation with Defra.
He added: “We are just at the edge of the 3km zone. The epicentre seems to be around Thirsk and it has radiated from there. Because of the high risk we are unable to carry out any rescues during this time.
“We ask all our volunteers to walk through the footbaths provided.”
He expected the protection zone could be in place for as long as three months until the migrating birds which brought the disease into the country return to Scandinavia and the Arctic in the spring.
Anyone who wants to support the centre during the closure can contact Mr Bowes on 07764 352835.
