Woodlands Animal Sanctuary will close without your help!

 Last October, Charlie and I visited Woodlands Animal Sanctuary in Holmeswood and Charlie had the chance to stay in their cat hotel.

But now the Sanctuary have announced they only have enough funding to remain open for the next three weeks, before the situation becomes desperate.

The charity, which was formerly known as Southport Cats Protection, is currentyl home to scores of rabbits, birds, goats and of course cats, but money is running out and the centre could soon be forced to close its doors to new admissions.

Woodlands is staffed entirely by volunteers and owner Jaqui McDerby has promised that no animals will be put to sleep.

Daughter Vickie added: "We are asking people to a) donate money or set up a direct debit or b) come forward for new homes.

"If just 300 people were to set up a standing order of £3 a month that would give us some security.

"We have people that give us a monthly allowance at the moment, but that doesn't cover half our costs. "There are no full time staff - we are all volunteers."

Vickie added that any money donated would be spent entirely on the animals. "Feeding, neutering, general vets costs that's all the money is spent on, that and the up keep of the sanctuary.

"For example, the hedgehogs costs £200 each through the Winter.

"They come in cold, they have to be hand reared and given medication, anti-biotics and vitamin injections, all the food.

"And we've 30 hedgehogs in at the moment."

And it's not just Woodlands who are feeling the strain, other animal charities are in need of help.

"The RSPCA brought cats to us last week because they are so busy," Vickie said.

A recent Winter Ball raised £1,600 for the sanctuary and a barn dance is planned for April to raise further funds.

Vicky added: "You feel like you are back to the same people saying you want more money - there's only so much you can ask of the same people and so we need people that have never helped us before to come forward."

To find out more about helping the registered charity log on to www.animalsanctuary.org.uk, call 01704 823293 or buy a ticket for the barn dance at Rufford Village Hall on April 17 for £12.

Charlie visits Woodlands Cat Hotel in Holmeswood

WHEN I heard about a cat hotel in Holmeswood, I knew there was only one fella - or rather feline could take with me - my kitty Charlie.

Woodlands Cat Hotel based at Woodlands Animal Sanctuary on Sandy Lane has been open for 15 years and offers 24 hour care for tabbies while their owners are away.

Owner Jacqui McDerby, an avid cat lover from a young age, runs the hotel with her family including daughter Vickie.

Jacqui used to breed and show pedigree Siamese cats for a number of years before going into rescue work which led her to becoming coordinator of the Southport and District Branch of the Cats Protection for over 10 years.

She is now founder and trustee of Woodlands Animal Sanctuary.

The same love of cats prompted her to open Woodlands Cat Hotel to enable all cats to enjoy her high standard of love and attention whilst their owners are on holiday.

Vickie, 25, said: "My mum's been looking after cats and kittens for over 20 years. Cats that are ill or strays.

"The place just grew and grew and as well as cats people were bringing rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, goats and birds."

In 2005, Woodlands Animal Sanctury was officially registered as a charity and cares for unwanted and neglected farm animals, small domestic animals and species of native wildlife that, over the years, have been given to them to care for.

"We solely run on donations and that's where the cat hotel comes in we use the profits from it to put back into the sanctuary."

Charlie was given a guided tour of the hotel by Vickie and spent time in the spacious sleeping quarters alongside residents Rocky and Ellie.

Vickie added: "They are fully heated and each pen has a ladder giving access to the lower floor and their toilet.

"At the moment Rocky is staying with us and he has diabetes and must have insulin every day. We cater for all sorts of cats."

So what was Charlie's verdict? Woodlands Cat Hotel is a purrfect place to stay.

If you would like more information about the hotel or sanctuary or are interesting in volunteering your time visit www.animalsanctuary.org.uk or call 01704-823293.