HERE'S one newshound who's certainly in the know.

Candy, the four-year-old Labrador cross, can't wait for the priceless Citizen to arrive each week at her new Lancaster home.

A rescue dog from Animal Care in Scotforth, it took Candy four months to train her new owners to her way of doing things and Animal Care manager, Val Harwood, said she's always delighted when the animals are rehoused in a loving home.

"They love her dearly and wouldn't part with her for anything now," said Val. "A happy ending for a dog who, through no fault of her own, lost her first home and family."

Animal Care is busy raising funds to help improve conditions for all the animals at their sanctuary which at the moment includes 12 dogs, 15 cats, a pet cow, two horses, six sheep, four goats, several rabbits and a clutch of chickens.

One new fund-raising venture is a pet food sponsorship scheme where any animals' food bill can be sponsored for £5 a week.

Each sponsor will receive a card and every penny donated to the sanctuary will go towards the costs of building new kennels and an isolation unit.

Said Assistant Manager Peter Kinloch: "We didn't have as many dogs in after Christmas, so some things appear to be getting better, but we need to raise a considerable sum to ensure we can give all the animals the highest levels of care."

Animal Care hope to raise £100,000 to build 20 new kennels with runs and generally improve facilities for the many animals who often arrive at the sanctuary in tragic circumstances.

The cow was saved from slaughter during the BSE crisis but there are also many heart-warming endings to their stories. One of the older goats has adopted two of the smaller ones at the sanctuary and often dogs like Candy end up with loving owners ready to offer a welcoming home.

To offer support call Animal Care on 65495.

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