The Perfect Storm at Woodlands Sanctuary: Rising Operational Costs and More abandoned Pets

Vulnerable and neglected animals around the Northwest desperately need your help.

Ahead of their 20th anniversary of rescuing vulnerable, abused and abandoned animals, Holmeswood based Woodlands Animal Sanctuary is facing an unprecedented crisis that threatens its ability to continue its crucial work. Without urgent financial support, this essential facility may be forced to drastically reduce its operations and close its doors to new admissions, leaving countless animals in need, without refuge, and roaming stray.

With donations dropping significantly as a result of the cost of living crisis, and more animals than they’ve ever experienced being abandoned due to increasing numbers of people no longer being able to afford their pets, the pressure has fallen onto Woodlands.

"We're facing a perfect storm of challenges," says Vickie Blackburn, of Woodlands Animal Sanctuary. "The daily cost of running our facility is £1,000, and we receive about £4,000 in regular monthly donations. This leaves us with a staggering £26,000 funding gap to fill each month yet with more animals in need and greater costs than ever."

Their work stretches beyond this increase in simply rescuing unaffordable pets. In the past fortnight alone they have rescued 8 cats from one household due to a domestic abuse issue, whilst they have also been called to rescue 3 kittens who had been placed in a sack and left for dead on a building site.

The state of neglect of some animals further exacerbates the financial pressures. One pregnant mum recently rescued needed urgent treatment on a serious wound to her jaw, prior to giving birth to a litter of 7.

“Those in most need are the ones that need rescuing most urgently” Vickie continues “but this also means that their care takes us further into the cost of living impact as vet and drug bills have increased massively. So the longer they are stray, the worse their condition, and the greater the cost of rehabilitating them”.

This situation is widespread across the animal rescue industry in Merseyside and the Northwest. With supply far exceeding demand it is unlikely these desperate animals would have an alternative happy outcome or rescue available should Woodlands be forced to downsize operations and stop their rescue admissions.

“The impact wouldn’t just be more strays left out there to breed, or in worst cases, suffer” warns Vickie “volunteers at rescues like Woodlands claim that their work provides significant mental health benefits, and for many it is their key socialising and wellbeing activity”.

With over 100 rescues on site at any time, Woodlands will continue to rehabilitate those in its immediate care, and making every effort to give their animals sad beginnings a happy ever after ending. However Woodlands will need help if it is to provide for the thousands of animals otherwise being left to survive on instinct across the region.

“Whether it’s donating, sponsoring an animal, doing a workplace fundraiser, or helping to get our message spread, we need every bit of help that we can get. We have some fantastically loyal and passionate supporters who have helped to keep saving animals lives, but the fact that there are more animals than ever in need of help means we simply need more helpers” concludes Vickie.

To arrange an interview or visit to discuss our plight please contact Vickie Blackburn on [email protected] / +44 7977 539560. Vickie would be more than happy to discuss the challenges in more detail, introduce you to the amazing animals and staff, and walk through some of the heartbreaking stories with happy endings as a result of the work they do at Woodlands.

About Woodlands Animal Sanctuary: Founded in 2005, Woodlands Animal Sanctuary is West Lancashire's only multi-species animal rescue center. Dedicated to the welfare of animals in need, the sanctuary provides a safe haven for over 100 rescues at any given time, offering hope and new beginnings to vulnerable creatures.