URGENT APPEAL FOR FUNDS!

A local Animal Sanctuary, Re-Homing Centre & Wildlife Rescue, the Algernon Trust in Whittlebury near Towcester, is desperate for help in funding the needs of the animals they have saved.

So far in April alone, the Algernon Trust has taken in 19 dogs, which is an unprecedented number. Being only a small Rescue this is a huge additional expense to cover along with the many cats and dogs already in their care.  Most of the animals are un-neutered, need vaccinating & micro-chipping, some have had general medical issues that have required veterinary treatment. This is of course in addition to the general day to day costs of feeding & housing the animals, so they are now desperate for funds. Without help, the Trust will have to turn away any animals needing rescue, many who may otherwise be put to sleep..

All of these dogs have come into the care of the Algernon Trust during April 2013

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 Trusts care.  Jane also provides a wildlife rescue service 24 hours a day 52 weeks a year.

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 Trusts finances.

A small selection of the cats at the Sanctuary

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.  Donations would be very much appreciated & can be sent to The Algernon Trust Bank; Sort Code: 40-35-04; Account No: 02701081 or by PayPal to donate@algernontrust.org.uk (please select the gift option).  The Trust also has an Amazon wishlist which provides a convenient way to donate food and other items for the animals.

If you think you can help and would like further information, please contact Jane on: 07977 555238 or look on our website: www.algernontrust.org.uk