When Anne Owen decided to help a painfully thin Lurcher who arrived on her Doorstep in 1978, little did she realise it was the beginning of North Clwyd Animal Rescue. We now care for in excess of 1000 animals each year and this number is ever growing. The Centre acts as a rehabilitation unit and a temporary home for mainly dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. WHY ARE WE NEEDED? There are a large number of unwanted, abused and abandoned animals in this region and although this is not a unique issue facing this area, we know that there would be a lot more pain and suffering subjected to animals if we ceased to exist. Our growth tells us that we play a vital part in the community and we also try to enlighten people of the effects of unwanted litters as sadly there is an imbalance in the number of good homes and animals waiting to be adopted. We are almost constantly filled to capacity with residents. WHAT DO WE DO During an animals stay we endeavour to give it as much love and individual attention as possible. We have a "puppy house", an isolation unit for our new residents, individual pens for our rabbits, exercise pens for the dogs and the design for our cat pens means that they can be indoors our outdoors at their own will during the day. All our resident dogs are walked at least twice a day. All our animals pens are cleaned daily or more often if required. Upon initial arrival, the animals are checked by our qualified resident veterinary nurse/ manager who assesses their condition and if appropriate are immediately taken to our Veterinary Centre. If they need medical treatment which can be administered on site then this is carried out. It is our policy that all our animals are fully vaccinated and spayed/ neutered either whilst at the Sanctuary or (if their stay is a very short one, and they are homed prior to any of these treatments), the new owners are given a voucher for this to be carried out at our cost. This way the monetary element has been taken away from the new owner and we can effectively help to reduce the unwanted population. WHAT DON'T WE DO Animals are never put to sleep unless they are suffering and will not recover. Once we take in an animal, it will remain with us until a new home is found. As an example, we have a lovely collie with us called Meg, who is sadly very untrusting of strangers and as a result is in her second year with us. Once you gain her trust, she is a very loving and loyal dog and is a firm favourite with the regular volunteer walkers and workers. WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM? North Clwyd Animal Rescue receives no state funding. We rely very heavily on voluntary donations. We do have two charity shops which help to bring in much needed regular revenue and with vets bills topping £3000.00 per month our existence is becoming increasingly financially difficult. We do charge a minimal "adoption fee" for our animals which in most cases does not even cover the Veterinary bill relating to that animal. COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF Visitors are always welcome during normal working hours. Such visits are especially encouraged for Schools, Youth and Disabled Groups but individuals are made equally welcome. CAN YOU HELP We forever need to approach individuals and companies who we hope will financially assist. We do have a number of Open Days, sponsored events and a regular newsletter for our members and any company/companies who sponsor us for a particular event will be mentioned in the literature relating to that event and on the day. Alternatively, if a "one off' donation is received, we will give credit to the company in our Newsletter which goes out to all our subscribed members.