Sponsored by
Mayflower Sanctuary in shock closure threat...
A BAWTRY animal sanctuary that has saved and re-homed thousands of dogs, has suddenly found itself facing closure.
The Mayflower Animal Sanctuary has been told that the Dogs' Trust has withdrawn annual funding of 18,000 – and sanctuary staff fear that they now won't make up the shortfall.
Spokeswoman Josie Moorhouse said: "We had a phone call from the Trust warning us that this was to happen, so from the beginning of January we are more reliant than ever on fund-raising and donations.
Vouchers from the Trust have paid for the vital spaying or neutering of dogs, since the Narrow Lane rescue opened its doors in 2003.
Josie added: "We are very worried that we won't meet our costs and there is a very real threat of closure. We've been lucky with the help we've had so far - the Dogs' Trust has been fantastic to us".
The Dogs' Trust has spent over 1m in South Yorkshire, helping charities with spaying and neutering programmes, but they are now to concentrate on impacting puppy farming and helping inner city dogs.
The sanctuary is currently brim-full with puppies, and dogs are being placed in boarding kennels because there is no room, explained Josie.
"We will still be supported by the Blue Cross, but their funding is specifically for employing a full time and part-time member of staff.
"Our monthly running costs amount to 8,000 and it can easily cost us 3,000 in vets' fees each month. We also have to pay to lease the land for the kennels."
The sanctuary is appealing to animal-lovers to help them overcome the crisis by donating whatever they can.
Any help with fund-raising events or voluntary work would also be welcome. Staff are looking at the possibility of opening a charity shop in Retford or Worksop, but enough volunteers would be needed to man it.
Professional help in terms of book-keeping or fund-raising would be another cash-saving boost.
If you feel you can help, in any way, call the sanctuary on (01302) 711330.
...but staff are still saving lives
THESE four adorable balls of fluff (pictured) have been saved from a cruel death by Mayflower staff – even as the sanctuary itself faces the chop.
Josie Moorhouse said: "The owner of these puppies threatened to throw them in the River Don if we didn't take them. We'd have taken them anyway but we were glad to be able to step in quickly in this case."
Aged about seven weeks old, the little cross-breeds were in a badly neglected state – covered in their own excrement when they arrived at Mayflower.
Josie added: "Despite his threats, at least the owner did care enough to bring them to us. They'll be ready for new owners as soon as they have completed their first vaccinations."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Doncaster
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
