Stray animals queuing up for loving homes
THE GOOD Samaritans who take in four-legged waifs and strays from all over the dales are appealing for new homes for their temporary residents.
Pat Kingsnorth from Ark on the Edge, and Kevin Plumber from Kayshill Animal Sanctuary, are both looking to rehome a menagerie of unwanted and unloved pets who have ended up in their care.
Ms Kingsnorth, who runs the Rural Ark on the Edge sanctuary in Woodland, said that although she has not had a huge influx of animals over the festive period because of the weather, she still has many that need rehoming.
“We have several old cats that we’ve had here since August and they really do need homes. They are house cats and would be perfectly content to sit on someone’s lap, or in the front of a fire, all day.
“We’re in desperate need of homes for them, they are beautiful and I don’t know why they haven’t gone to good homes yet. If there is anyone who can take two cats together, I’d ask them to please get in touch with us.”
Over in West Auckland, Kevin Plumber, whose sanctuary is situated on a main road, has had a busy Christmas.
He has taken in an influx of cats and kittens, as well as a group of Jack Russell dogs, all needing new homes.
Because Kayshill is undergoing major and necessary redevelopment, there is less room at the inn but for Mr Plumber, it is hard to turn animals away.
He said: “We’ve been exceptionally busy but we have managed to rehome some of the cats over the festive season, a time when you would expect dogs to be left with us.
“But we are needing homes for five Jack Russells.
“The owner went into hospital and couldn’t cope with them.
“We’ve had them for four weeks now because of this weather, people aren’t really coming in.”
Charities have been hit hard by the recession throughout 2009, something that has been felt by both sanctuaries.
Ms Kingsnorth said: “It’s been really hard all year for us – a bad year for donations and fund raising. We’ve had to cancel fundraising events because people don’t have the money to donate, and of course that’s what we rely on.”
While Mr Plumber agreed and said the lack of money coming in has hampered the alterations he needs to make to Kayshill in order to comply with planning regulations.
Without donations to help him build the new-look sanctuary the area could lose another of its much-needed animal shelters.
He said: “We have the walls for the new cattery but we now need to get the money together for the roof.”
Both are hopeful that the New Year, and a return to warmer weather, will bring in more people wanting to rehome.
Ms Kingsnorth said: “Because of where we are, I’ve warned people not come in, I don’t want to put people in a situation where they get stuck because we’re in such a remote spot.”
Luckily she has had help from people in Barnard Castle who, having found stranded animals, have offered to foster them until the weather gets better.
And to prove there is no age barrier to rehoming animals, Ms Kingsnorth said an 83-year-old lady recently adopted two cats who had been at Ark for some time.
She said: “It’s given her a new lease of life and she loves having them around.
“They have settled in perfectly and everyone’s happy.
“The lady has a real purpose now and the cats have a lovely home.”
Both homes have dogs, cats, rabbits and a variety of other animals that need rehoming and Ms Kingsnorth is also looking for homes for unwanted horses.
Anyone who is able to rehome any of the animals, make or donation or volunteer in any way can call Pat at Ark on the Edge on 01833 630505 or 07970802286 or Kevin Plumber at Kayshill on 01388 834996.