An animal shelter which takes in vulnerable pets from across East Lancashire is appealing for help to save its future after being evicted from its current home.

The Pennine Animal Welfare Society – known as PAWS – is facing closure after its landlord told the charity to vacate its current site by Friday, August 5.

The animal rescue was formed in 2007 and became a registered charity in 2014, and takes in animals within a 15 mile radius of its Todmorden base, encompassing almost all of East Lancashire.

It rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes cats and dogs, and has helped to care for more than 1,500 animals so far.

An emergency meeting of trustees was held to discuss how PAWS can be saved, and unless it can find a suitable location to rent or buy it may have to shut down.

It has been trying to raise funds to buy a permanent home for some time, and is now appealing to the public for support to hit a £300,000 target before it is booted out of its current base on Friday.

Susan Curran, Centre Manager, who lives on the site and faces losing her home, said: “I am completely numb following receipt of the Section 25 Notice.

“One month is hardly enough time to pack up everything, let alone find another site, set-up the kennels and cattery again and then the trauma of moving the animals.

“I am fearful for the future of the charity and hope that the landlord will allow us more time to find somewhere.”

Michele Way, Chair of Trustees, added: “We have tried to engage the landlord in discussion but they are unwilling to enter into any negotiation and it has proved difficult to achieve any significant progress.

“The Trustees will do their best to ensure the charity continues to help local people and their animals, in whatever form that might take.

“Our goal is to secure a long lease on some land and buildings or ideally, we would like to buy somewhere and then we will have secured the future for the rescue.

“We are looking for sponsorship from local people, businesses and if any landowners have about four acres of flattish land with outbuildings they can spare, please get in touch.”

Volunteers with the charity include young people with additional learning needs, adults with mental health issues, people recovering from long-term illness, work experience college students, along with animal lovers who just want to give something back.

Ms Curran added: “The volunteers are all devastated as are those who’ve had dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs from us.

“We have helped so many animals and in turn they’ve helped their new owners. Please can you help us now and stop the potential closure of our rescue.”

Anyone who wishes to help the charity is asked to visit its Crowdfunder appeal here. Alternatively, people who can help are asked to email enquiries@pennineanimalwelfaresociety.org

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-paws-1#start