Sanctuary sponsor plea

JD leaves Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary due to its closure

Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary chairwoman Mandy Leigh is appealing for generous sponsors to help support the shelter’s remaining dogs and horses.

She said: “It’s costing me £600 to keep the horses in stables and probably £400 a week for the dogs. It’s a good £2,500 a month.”

Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary in St Annes officially closed its gates at the end of March, with remaining animals being transported to different kennels and stables across the Fylde coast.

They are still cared for and supported by Easterleigh staff, who pay for food and shelter and arrive each day to walk the dogs.

Mandy said: “We are doing what we can to rehome them. Two dogs have already moved out to their new homes and we have got a couple on hold.

“I want to help the dogs and I don’t want people to feel like Easterleigh is finished, because it’s not. It’s what I’m here for – to save the animals.

“If I can help them in just a small way until they get a new home then it’s worth it.

“We’re still going but we just need a bit of help.

“What we’re asking is for people to sponsor us for £2 a month. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but if 10 people sponsor us and it keeps going from there, it adds up.”

She added that, despite the sanctuary’s current financial difficulties, she has no plans to stop taking in ‘problem’ animals that would otherwise struggle to find a home.

She said: “Easterleigh is one of the few shelters that will never put an animal down.

“We have just brought in a little terrier who is nearly blind even though he’s just three years old.

“My idea was to just take on dogs that I could rehome easily but typically I have taken on a ‘problem’ dog!

“What would happen to them if I didn’t?

“Sanctuaries often don’t like to take dogs or cats in that have health problems.

“If you only want to rescue the best of the best, that’s fine, but if you’re like me you want to save every animal. Even if the dog bit me I wouldn’t give up. I’d try to find out why it was like that.

“There isn’t a dog out there who can’t be sorted out with patience and understanding.

“I’ll probably be doing this my whole life. The only way I’d stop is if they put me in a box, and even then my staff would probably put a mobile phone in there with me!”

If you are interested in sponsoring Easterleigh, call (01253) 595333.