Sanctuary owner's plea to help save troubled dogs

The operator of a sanctuary for “un-rehomeable” dogs has issued a plea for help to find a new premises to avoid a group of the pets having being euthanised.

Alison Clark, who runs Chadkirk Dog Sanctuary in Stockport, Greater Manchester, has dedicated the last decade of her life to caring for dogs that have been left homeless due to trauma and behavioural problems.

But she said most of the 30 dogs currently in her care will have to be put down if she cannot find a new base for the sanctuary by 31 December, as her current lease is ending and she has not been able to find an alternative.

Ms Clark said: "There's nothing more appreciative than a dog giving love. They're my life."

She added: "Some of the dogs here, they trust me. They wont have anybody else near them.

"There's nowhere else for them to go - every shelter in England is absolutely brimming with dogs at the minute."

Many of the dogs in her care were saved from being put down after being abandoned by their owners, she said.

Hope, a German Shepherd, was found abandoned in a car.

Ms Clark said: "She’s put on 10kg. She was an absolute bag on bones, ear infection, fleas. She's had a long journey."

She called on landowners with existing kennels, or those with suitable stables where kennels could be built to get in touch.

She added: "It's very difficult to find premises for sanctuary dogs without close neighbours, they've got to have room to move around."

A crowdfunding page set up to help support the sanctuary has raised more than £47,000, which Ms Clark said would be a big help in funding a potential move.

She said: "We can't believe the amount that's been raised."

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