Celandine Wood Animal Rescue based in Wirral is at risk of closure unless it raises £10,000 a month on an ongoing basis for running costs

An animal rescue has warned it’s in a “desperate situation” and running out of funds to pay the rent.

Celandine Wood Animal Rescue, based in Wirral, Merseyside, is at risk of closure unless it raises £10,000 a month on an ongoing basis for running costs.

Founder and vet Dr Sharon Williams is urging businesses and individuals to set up a monthly donation and sponsor a kennel. The rescue is one of the largest animal rescues in the area – saving dogs, cats and wildlife.

It has recently heavily invested in new premises, creating 34 kennels. Dr Williams said: “Thanks to the fantastic support of the community we were able to open our own purpose-built premises.

“We’re still seeing a huge animal abandonment crisis. Every rescue is full, I’ve never known rescue to be so bad.

“Most of these dogs we take in are neglected, abused, abandoned or moments from being put to sleep. Our kennels are life-saving, allowing us to take in dogs in desperate need quickly. We’re their second chance.”

Celandine’s rent is £3,300 per month, and with staff salaries, food and vet bills, the total running costs are around £10,000 a month.

Kennel sponsorship costs £97 a month and the sponsor can name their kennel, get updates on the dogs they are helping, be featured on the rescue’s website and benefit from shoutouts to its 11,000 plus Facebook followers. There’s also the option of shared kennel sponsorship for £20 a month.

Dr Williams said any one-off or monthly donation of any amount no matter how small from the public will be gratefully received. She added: “We really need a regular steady income to ensure the stability of the rescue and continue to help animals in need.

“We’ve had an influx of very sick animals recently that have wiped out our finances, such as two cats, Ophelia and Oreo, who have cost us £6,000 in vet bills and two puppies with broken legs.

READ MORE: Liverpool digital agency relocates and doubles space

READ MORE: River Capital invests £1.75m into tech firm

“As well as the rent and vet bills, we need more funds for more staff to cope with the workload now we’ve grown.”

To sponsor a kennel, visit here. To give another amount, one-off or regularly, you can do so here. You can make a contribution via bank transfer to Celandine Wood Animal Rescue using sort code 309950 and account number 28376962.