AN URGENT appeal to save hundreds of cats and dogs from being made homeless has received ‘an incredible response’, but the animal welfare charity looking after them still needs immediate help.

Whitminster based Teckels Animal Sanctuaries offers rescue and rehoming services to hundreds of unwanted pets and strays every year.

But the charity, which is run by a passionate community of staff and volunteers, is experiencing an overwhelming demand on its services at a time when funding is becoming more and more difficult to access.

Sarah Fortey, assistant manager at Teckels, said that the charity is in desperate need of funds to keep saving animals.

Just some of the amazing team at Teckels who help save 400 animals each year

“We are facing a real challenge at the moment – but the response from the public has been overwhelming, we cannot believe the number of messages we have received,” she said.

Thousands of people have rushed to offer their support for the charity, which works with dogs and cats which may have been strays, or have had to be surrendered to them due to a number of heart-breaking reasons.

“Sometimes people may have lost their job, or are unable to look after their animals due to serious illness,” Jane Maile, one of the volunteers at the centre said.

“It is a heart-breaking decision for a family to make – and it’s one that we are seeing more and more often as people face financial difficulties. But we’ll always try to help.

“Some of our dogs have been with us for years, even decades, because we can’t find the right home for them – we will never put a healthy animal to sleep.”

Roxy finally found her home after 8 years at the centre, which promises to never put a healthy animal to sleep

Staffe at Teckels had 33 inquiries from families wanting to surrender their dog and 24 cat inquiries in the last four weeks alone.

Additionally some of the animals have had a difficult past during which they may have been abused, neglected or abandoned, and need the expertise, and compassion that the team at the refuge can offer.

Because the animal shelter offers such an important service professional organisations and service dogs have been quick to offer their support too.

“Teckels have held the stray dog contract for Stroud District Council for over 15 years,” said animal welfare officer Alex Myrie.

“We consider the welfare of the strays in our care as paramount and the standard of care that Teckels provides is second to none.

“We’ll continue to support the good work they do in any way we can.”

A fundraising page has been set up to raise money to see the charity into 2019, and has already received generous donations from hundreds of well-wishers, including police dog Stella the Staffie and her handler PC Claire Todd.

Stella, one of Gloucestershire Constabulary’s police dogs was a rescue dog herself, and in recognition of the important work that Teckels does her handler has asked for donations to the charity in place of Christmas presents this year.

PC Claire Todd, who is police dog Stella the Staffie's handler, is asking for donations to Teckels in place of Christmas presents this year

But there are numerous ways the animal lovers can support the organisation

“Some volunteers help raise money by helping with dog shows and Christmas Fairs,” Jane told us.

“Others come in to walk dogs, we even have one volunteer who cuddles cats and kittens a few times a week.”

“We need trustees and some real fundraising expertise to take us through into 2019,” assistant manager Sarah said.

“As a small team we don’t have the same budget as some of the national charities which means that we don’t spend huge amounts of money on advertising, we use all we can to help our animals.”

“We are desperately asking for your support so that we can continue to offer these animals a safe place to stay and to help them find a happy home.”

To donate, and help save Teckels visit bit.ly/SaveTeckels

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