With just days to go, a landowner has come to the rescue for the Never Give Up Rescue CIC animal sanctuary thanks to a Hull Live article
Amy Donoghue with one of the cats in her care at Never Give Up Rescue CIC(Image: Amy Donoghue)
An animal rescue centre in Hull which was threatened with closure has been saved after a landowner leaped to the rescue. Amy Donoghue has spent several months in a desperate race against time searching for a new home, after her landlord announced plans to sell the house she rents, which also doubles as the Never Give Up Rescue CIC animal sanctuary.
The rescue worker, who has been helping to rehome animals for 15 years, was in tears last month as the deadline set by her landlord loomed. She was facing the possibility of living in her car, while 39 pets in her care faced an uncertain future.
Last year Amy established Never Give Up Rescue CIC as a Community Interest Company, through which donations go to where they’re needed to pay for food, vets bills and other essentials. She also set in motion a Crowdfunder campaign to raise funds to buy land or a suitable property at auction where she can construct purpose-built, secure facilities for the cats.
Now, on the back of publicity on her plight, Amy has secured a new, albeit temporary home for the animals, and a separate flat for herself and her own pets. She told how the community’s kindness, generosity, and belief in Never Give Up Rescue CIC have made a real and immediate difference for the cats in her care.
She said: “I’m so relieved, like you wouldn’t believe. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I keep waking up with the weight of the world on my shoulders until I remember, but they do say it can take a while to get it out of your system when you’ve had that much stress.
“When I started the fundraiser, the rescue was facing an incredibly urgent situation. In November last year, the rented house that had been both my home and the rescue centre for the past six years was put up for sale, leaving us with just a short time frame to find somewhere new for up to 115 cats.
“Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to secure a temporary solution for the rescue animals. A landlord has agreed to rent us land that is suitable for the cats, relieving the immediate pressure and ensuring they are safe. I’ve got loads to do, but everything is going to be alright which is the main thing.
“The new place for the animals is on land in West Hull and it was through your article. I was messaged by this guy saying he had some land which might be suitable so I went to see it.
“It’s on land which has previously had horses on it. We’ve had to clear the land ourselves – six of us took all day to bag up 90 bags of horse manure! A friend with an allotment came and took it all.
“I really wanted to be on site with the animals but it’s really secure with lights and cameras. And once the pens and catios are in place it will be safe as houses. It’s the perfect size and I’ll be down there every day sorting the cats out.
“I was so happy when I saw the land. I was ecstatic – the minute I got there I could picture the pens on there, it was a good feeling straight away.”
As the notice served by the landlord had a deadline of Friday, February 6, time is of the essence for Amy. She has enlisted help to move the pens to the new location in the next couple of weeks. Soon after, Amy will also move into new accommodation, having found a place to live a short drive away from the new temporary rescue site.
She said a huge weight has been lifted, but says that while the temporary setup has bought her time, it is not a permanent solution. As a result, the fundraiser, which currently has £9,645 on the fundraising page, will remain open because she is determined to reach her goal to secure a permanent solution for the scores of cats and dogs in her care.
She said: “Because the land is rented, the same situation could arise again in the future. Our goal has always been — and still is — to secure a permanent home for Never Give Up Rescue CIC. We’ll use money that’s been donated to pay for moving the animals, and then keep the crowdfunder going until we can fund a permanent home. We’ve got a few fundraisers coming up too, which is good.”
Two fundraisers are soon set to take place to boost the CIC’s coffers. On Friday February 20 the Three Tuns on Boothferry Road is hosting a fundraising afternoon of bingo, raffle and a DJ from 1pm. Entry costs £5 a ticket including a chip butty.
Meanwhile on Sunday March 22 a Rock for the Rescue afternoon takes place at the Masonic Hall in Beverley Road from 3pm to 9pm. Alongside performances from Zara Birch, Paul and Marnie Black there will be stalls and a raffle. Tickets cost £15 a ticket including a pie with a side.
Amy added: “This rescue has survived every challenge so far thanks to determination, compassion, and the support of an amazing community. With your continued help, we can finally create a safe, secure future for the cats who depend on us.”
To make a donation visit the Crowdfunder page here.
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