AN ANIMAL welfare charity which cares for homeless cats and dogs from across the Stroud district is appealing for public support after funding cuts threaten their services.
Whitminster based Teckels Animal Sanctuaries offers rescue and rehoming services to hundreds of unwanted pets and strays from across the district every year.
The charity is run by staff and volunteers who are committed to animal welfare.
We spoke to Teckels volunteer Jane Maile who has worked at the shelter for over a year to learn more about the work it does in the community.
Teckels doesn't have the huge marketing and fundraisaing budgets of other charities but they will never euthanise a healthy animal
“Here at Teckels we will never put a healthy animal to sleep just because we can’t find it a home,” Jane told us.
“It means that some of our dogs and cats have been here for years, even decades - but each one is looked after with the same care and compassion.”
Animals are brought Teckels for many reasons, such as when elderly owners are taken into care homes and are unable to take beloved pets with them.
Cattery and kennel assistant at Teckels Beccy Mummery explains what it's like to work at the animal sanctuary:
Other owners have to make the heartbreaking decision to give up their pets after running into financial difficulty, or because new landlords have a strict no pet policy.
“It’s a horrible decision for people to make and it feels fulfilling to be doing something so positive to help both the pet and the owner. I get a huge amount of satisfaction from being involved here,” Jane said.
And it’s not just the public who entrust their pets to the charity.
“Teckels have held the stray dog contract for Stroud District Council for the last 15 plus years,” said SDC 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.
“It’s important that we keep our stray dog facilities as local to the district as possible, so our dogs don’t have to travel far and it’s as easy as possible for pets and owners to be reunited.
“We’ll continue to support the good work they do in any way we can,” she explained.
But rehoming over 400 animals a year is a costly business; all of the animals have to be checked by vets on their arrival, and some are found to have expensive ongoing medical conditions that require medication or operations.
Volunteer Andrew Nicholls told us why Teckels needs more people to help:
Assistant manager Sarah Fortey explained how the monthly running costs can add up.
“Some of the pets that come to us may have specific dietary requirements and our vet bills alone run into thousands of pounds a month.
“Everything has to be paid for - even the thousand or so poo bags we use a month!”
Funds are getting harder to come by and managers and trustees are concerned that there isn’t enough in the coffers to complete vital repairs, or expand to meet the rising demand.
Teckels has had 33 inquiries from families wanting to surrender their dog and 24 cat inquiries in the last four weeks alone.
And although the centre employs 16 paid employees to help look after the hundreds of animals that they rehome each year, a huge number of volunteers also help in every aspect of running Teckels too.
“Some volunteers help raise money by helping with dog shows and Christmas Fairs,” Jane told us.
“Others come in once a week to walk dogs, we even have one volunteer who cuddles cats and kittens a few times a week.”
Teckels manager Clare Campbell with one of the kittens who is looking for a home
Because the refuge has been such a part of the community many of the volunteers have come to see Teckels as family.
“We have people who come in with their carers to do work with us, some of our retired volunteers see it as an opportunity to get out of the house and socialise.
“In order to continue their vital work, Teckels need volunteers - from fundraisers, to trustees and dog walkers and kitten cuddlers too.”
Most of all it needs money and volunteer Jane is stepping up to the challenge with that too.
“I’m taking part in a cycle challenge in Gloucester this weekend to help,” Jane told us.
“It’s against my better judgement but hopefully my back and knees will hold up!”
To sponsor Jane visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/janemaile1 and to learn more about Teckels visit teckelsanimalsanctuaries.co.uk.
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