The Mandurah community has rallied behind small businesses in the Peel region since the outbreak of COVID-19 caused many to change the way they operate, or close completely.
The pandemic has presented a huge new challenge for small, service-based businesses who work in a face-to-face capacity, including conservation centre Critters Up Close.
The centre provides an engaging and educational experience about local flora and fauna to encourage awareness of the environment.
The team run interactive programs, events, birthday parties and school visits for budding conservationists.
However, founder Michael Smith said his team had been forced to make tough decisions in the wake of the coronavirus crisis to "adapt, improvise and overcome or die".
"In the last five and a half years of operation, we have worked incredibly hard to create something from nothing and in a period of 72 hours, we watched over 95 per cent of our business disappear," he said.
"Coronavirus put the brakes on all areas of our business.
"Within a period of two weeks, we managed to take our business from face to face to 100 per cent online."
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In an effort to keep even a small bit of work and income flowing during the pandemic, the team created customised education and entertainment packages, comprehension worksheets and curriculum based documents for primary school students.
Mr Smith said they were yet to receive any form of financial support from the government, as they waited to find out if they were eligible for the zoo and aquarium federal funding announced last month.
"We have made contact with local members of government and those at state level with the hope that the 'little guy' is not forgotten in this model," he said.
"We believe we satisfy all the requirements to be considered for funding allocation.
"Our discussions were positive and I commend the City of Mandurah and all levels of government for their ability to adapt during uncertain and challenging times."
But Mr Smith said the greatest help and encouragement had come from generous residents of the Peel region.
He thanked the community and local businesses for their support which he said "kept us going".
"We found ourselves in a position for the first time since starting Critters Up Close where we were really stuck, so had no option but to ask our loyal supporters for help," he said.
"Boy, did they rally behind us.
"From [people] offering their support either financially or simply by sending us messages saying they can't support us financially but they want us to know of the positive impact we've had on them and their children."
"It got to to a point where we were so overwhelmed with kindness, we had to step away from social media and... process it all.
"We will be forever grateful.
"All in all, we just want to say thank you to the community far and wide - your kindness and support will never be forgotten and, if anything, it drives us to make an even bigger impact in the community and environment in the years to come."
For more information about Critters Up Close, visit their website or Facebook page.
