BLEAKHOLT Animal Sanctuary is calling on businesses to help expand its shelter for abandoned and neglected creatures.

The Edenfield sanctuary is hoping to gain sponsorship or advice and expertise from firms to create a new puppy isolation unit, dog training facility and improve the hay store.

Vicki Appleton, chairman of the centre in Bury Old Road, said: “Sponsorship would mean we could have people come to us for dog training, have somewhere for people to meet dogs they are considering giving a home to, and educating school groups about animals.

“We’ll need £400,000 to build it, but it will allow us to take on more dogs that need new homes, and improving the hay barn would save us tens of thousands of pounds a year.

“We’d also like to build new kennels, but we can’t do it by ourselves, and are looking for businesses to come forward to donate money, or advice and expertise on everything from planning, to building and electronics.

“We’d really like to become self-sufficient.”

Bleakholt, which was opened in the 1950s and relies solely on voluntary contributions, has more than 200 cats available for homing as well as dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs and they also house donkeys, horses, goats and pigs which live on the 50 acres permanently.

Bleakholt is also always on the lookout for blankets and food for animals, as well as volunteers who can help out at the sanctuary with odd jobs and dog walking.

For more information about the sanctuary, go to www.bleakholt.org, call 01706 822577, or visit the centre.