Freshfields Animal Rescue are under threat of closure

Freshfields Animal Rescue are under threat of closure and need your help. They have launched an appeal to help to deal with the financial crisis that they hope will secure their future.

Freshfields Animal Rescue is based in Ince Blundell, just off the Formby Bypass. We have a second project in North Wales, which is primarily a horse and pony sanctuary. We were founded almost 40 years ago on a moral philosophy which values the lives of all animals, and the founding principles remain at the heart of Freshfields today.

Our core purpose is the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of abused, abandoned and unwanted animals.

Last year we re-homed 2,140 animals. We had hoped to exceed that figure this year, but sadly times have taken a desperate turn for us.

Our 24- hour rescue shelter is at risk of closure if we cannot raise sufficient funds to keep our doors open. Every charity goes through peaks and troughs in terms of their income, and Freshfields is now in urgent need of funds. If we are not here for the animals, the resources we provide will simply not be available to help the local communities which we are proud to serve. The public rely on us as a vital service, to which they can bring injured wildlife, stray or abandoned dogs and cats and many more animals and birds for whom there is nowhere else to turn.

This is Jasper

We provide a home at any one time to around 550 animals and wild birds. We care for dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hedgehogs, farm animals such as pigs, geese and sheep, as well as wild birds.

Our aim is for the animals to begin a new life when they reach our doors. We provide emergency vet care, high quality medical attention, and access to follow up treatment and support. We have 5 main Units: Cattery, Kennels, Small Animals/Wildlife, Fox Unit and the Farm. We try to find a loving home for each animal as soon as possible, whilst providing longer term support for the most traumatised and vulnerable. We are here for the animals, as long as they need us.

We have a genuine non-destruction policy, and never put a healthy animal down. We are often the last hope for animals who have been turned away from other centres, often because of medical issues or behavioural problems. Some animals stay a week, some much longer. We have recently found a home for one lovely dog, Mikki, after 7 years at the Shelter, because we never gave up. We have an established track record in transforming the lives of animals who have known nothing but cruelty and isolation. We are always at capacity, and every corner and nook and cranny provides a home to one of the many animals who are brought in to the Rescue every day. Our Manager shares her office with at least 2 cats and a terrapin! We are more than a rescue centre. We have an active community engagement programme. We reach out to local schools, building good relationships with the students and educating the next generation to become responsible pet owners. We provide outreach support and advice, and an active neutering programme for domestic and feral cats, as well as our Bull Breed Welfare Initiative. We have developed and expanded our conservation work. Our Fox Unit can now accommodate 8 injured or sick foxes, and the Fox Project operates all across the North West of England.

Marley in his new home

Marley the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was rescued from an estate after being forced to drink alcohol and cannabis. Now happy in a new home and loving life!

Wilma Pig is one of our local celebrities. Loves fresh fruit and veg, and likes hanging out with visitors to the farm who make a special trip to come out and see her.

We face the very real danger that hedgehogs, a mainstay of British wildlife, may be on the cusp of extinction. Just 10 years ago there were 60 million hedgehogs and that number has now shrunk to less than 1 million. We have a Hedgehog Hospital and treatment and release programme, monitoring the hogs until they are ready to be released into the wild. We offer practical advice and support to the local community on how to support wildlife conservation and how they can work with us to make a difference.

The cutest Hedgehog ever!

This hedgehog is one of 65 that we have in our Small Animals Unit. He was brought in by a concerned member of the public. He is getting all the love and care we can give him.

We need your help now, to ensure that we will be here in the future to care for thousands more like them.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

You can donate by texting TONA £5 to 70070

https://www.freshfields.org.uk/time-of-need-appeal/

For more information please check out our website and Facebook page or call the rescue centre on Tel: 0151 931 1604.