Algernon Trust Achieve Registered Charity Status

A local Animal Sanctuary, Re-Homing Centre & Wildlife Rescue, the Algernon Trust in Whittlebury near Towcester, has achieved registered charity status

The Animal Sanctuary was set up over twenty years ago when the founder Jane Shepherd moved to Whittlebury near Towcester. For the first eleven years it was a purely private enterprise paid for entirely out of her own pocket.

As the Sanctuary grew over the years, and having exhausted all of her personal finances, the Algernon Trust was established in 2001 as a non-profit organisation in order to raise funds to keep the shelter going. In 1991 Jane arrived with just five feral cats, one fox and one rabbit. Today there are usually at least sixty cats, twelve dogs, plus foxes and assorted poultry in the Trust's care.  Jane also provides a wildlife rescue service 24 hours a day 52 weeks a year.

Today, the Sanctuary is well known and respected.  Following an application the Charity Commission earlier this year, The Algernon Trust were delighted to learn that they have achieved charitable status and have been entered into the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1151827.

The Trust re-homes cats and dogs where possible but many of the cats Jane takes in are sick and/or elderly who need to remain at the Sanctuary for the rest of their days. Currently there are over thirty residents. The Trust has become as much a hospice and retirement home for cats as a re-homing centre, and caring for sick and elderly feline friends puts an enormous strain on the Trust's finances.

Animals are taken in from a wide area not just from Northamptonshire and adjacent counties but from all over the country.  The Trust has a strict “no kill” policy and Jane has no age restriction and has taken in cats over 20 years old.  All animals are neutered and micro chipped before being rehomed, all at the expense of the Algernon Trust.

The Trust only has 4 kennels, all donated, plus the old ferret pen for emergencies.  Foster homes are relied on to provide temporary care for dogs and cats awaiting adoption. Sometimes it is necessary to keep dogs at private boarding kennels to ensure they are not put to sleep when the Sanctuary is full.  The kennels are paid for by the Trust.  Foster carers make a huge difference, not only does this reduce the cost of boarding kennels but it enables the dogs to live in a home environment until such time that they find their permanent homes. Fosterers provide love and food for the animals and the Trust provides support and covers vets bills.

The Trust receives no funding to continue its important work and purely relies on membership, donations  and support by those who carry out fundraising activities.   Charity status will open up new fundraising opportunities to the Sanctuary.

If you would like further information on the work of The Algernon Trust, please contact Jane on: 07977 555238 or look on our website: www.algernontrust.org.uk