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Charity's desperate search as its 'overwhelmed'

Phil Chapman,North West Tonightand
Jenny Coleman,North West
BBC Dr Sharon Williams has curly brown hair tied up and is wearing a blue top and holding a small brown dog and a purple glass award that says Make A Difference. She is stood in a kitchen in front of a window.BBC
Dr Sharon Williams was awarded a BBC Make a Difference Award last month for her charity work

A charity which helps wild animals and domestic pets in Wirral said it has been "overwhelmed" with animals needing care.

Celandine Wood Animal Rescue cares for wild animals including foxes, hedgehogs, rabbits and birds - as well as cats, dogs and horses.

The charity said it is "desperately" looking for new land so it can help animals which require specialist treatment.

"We have a lot of wildlife handed in and it is difficult to find people who know enough to do it safely and well," volunteer Penny Rudd said.

A close up of a small black fox cub held in the palm of a hand
Fox cubs are among the wild animals cared for by the charity

She said this year she had helped care for a number of fox cubs and "lots of rabbits".

"Rabbits are tricky to rear especially if they're very small," she said.

"We really need a lot more room to set up a lovely proper facility where we can do more."

She said the rescue centre in Heswall had also been "absolutely overwhelmed with cats this year".

"We've had more cats needing homes and needing our help than ever before."

A young black and white cat is sat on a table in the hands of a woman wearing a yellow t-shirt with blue writing on it which says Celandine Wood Animal Rescue.
The charity said it had "more cats than ever" looking for homes

Dr Sharon Williams, from the charity said the team was working to stop healthy dogs being put down.

"We've got a list of people contacting us every day," she said.

"As soon as a kennel space becomes available we offer that space to another dog."

The veterinary surgeon originally founded the charity over concerns about the number of animals taken to vets for euthanasia for treatable behavioural or medical conditions.

She said her mission is to provide a lifeline to abandoned and neglected pets and try to find them a forever home.

But the constant flow of abandoned animals means the team are now looking to expand.

Eve Gildea from the charity said extra space would also help with socialising animals as they are prepared to be rehomed.

"With the new site it would be nice to be able to have enclosed spaces where we could do this safely and then when the dogs have their own exercise time they can get more freedom as well," she said.

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