Our Mission quite simply is to provide quality care without compromise. Unlike other shelters and veterinary services, we mean what we say, and will not turn away ANY animal that is in need of help that crosses our door.
We are the A&E of animal rescue, dealing with multiple cases on an hour by hour, day by day basis, ALL of whom are in need of urgent care. Thankfully most we can save, but for many it may be too late; due to their age or the injuries sustained we cannot save them but will always make their end-of-life care as loving as we possibly can.
No other shelter handles the volume nor sees the worst cases of animal cruelty on a daily basis.
This means that our shelter and clinic are constantly full to overflowing and we rely solely on donations to look after these wonderful animals. All the money we receive goes on providing them clean, safe accommodation and the medical care and love they need.
Our site covers 75 acres where we look after 2000 animals. Many of whom have experienced indescribable trauma and rejection and are with us because no one else would take them. Many will stay with us for the rest of their life due to the cruelty inflicted upon them. But we will never give up on them.
They say bad news always travels faster than good and that any publicity is good publicity. And we certainly have our fair share, especially on social media.
But when you have been around for as long as we have, over forty years, and have trained many people in animal welfare, you become an easy target.
Yet when the chips are down where do people bring their animals?
With almost 15,000 followers on Facebook, we are certainly doing more right than wrong and will continually strive to do better. With an open-door policy, we invite anyone to visit us and to see the work we do for themselves rather than rely on hearsay. Even better why not become a volunteer, sponsor, adopt or donate all of which help the animals we care for.
Here are some of the comments that do the rounds along with our reply.
Don’t take an animal to them as they will euthanise after 10 days if not claimed.
Many animals that arrive in our clinic are clearly suffering and beyond medical care. Our veterinary team will always do whatever they can to save an animal but they also have to make that heartbreaking decision when they know there is nothing more they can do. Our clinic is full of animals who are in long term recovery.
We do not euthanise healthy animals. Any animal that is surrendered into our care will be checked first by our veterinary team and then taken to our shelter where we will do everything, we can to find it a new home. Sadly, for many, because of the way they have been treated, we cannot re-home and they will stay with us as long-term guests in our shelter where they are safe, loved and cared for.
Animals die at the shelter.
The biggest risk in any cat colony is disease which is why our cats are placed into quarantine before being released into the colony. Sadly, we receive each year over a thousand rejected kittens surrendered by people who refuse to have their cats sterilised. Many of the kittens are extremely young and without a nursing mother will not survive despite our best efforts to save them. Also, without the mother’s milk they cannot build up their natural defences and are therefore more prone to viruses. Sadly, many die unable to fight a virus.
This is exactly why since 1992 we have run our own FREE SPAY CYPRUS programme to avoid the unnecessary and avoidable deaths of so many kittens.
Huge number of dogs kept together at the shelter.
We will never turn an animal away. This means that our intake is considerably higher than other shelters. We currently have over 800 dogs that we care for.
When they come to the shelter they are assessed. The vast majority of dogs we receive are hunting dogs, used to being in packs and therefore can live comfortably side by side. Being pack animals, they need and enjoy the company and stimulation of other dogs. They are not dangerous dogs and make the most amazing pets who will give their love unconditionally.
Sadly, for some of the dogs we receive it is not possible to integrate with other dogs and we have to separate them. We will not euthanise, instead they are given their own space with a kennel, shade, food and water and walked three or more times a day. Their safety is our primary concern so they are kept on a 15-metre lead allowing them to roam freely around their space, eat and drink when they want and take shelter from the sun and the rain. You will also find our volunteers spending hours with them to win back their trust in humans.
Our mission is to provide quality care, without compromise. Our love is unconditional, as is the love we receive back from these beautiful souls.
And long may we continue.
