£1m appeal for Shropshire pet rescue base

The owners of Grinshill Animal Rescue Centre, near Wem, say they need to relocate after outgrowing their existing base.

The centre, which mostly relies on donations, takes in stray and abused cats and dogs and tries to rehome them.

Jenny Martinez, who started rescuing animals more than 30 years ago and runs the centre with her daughter Kate Aspinall, said: "We have outgrown in terms of outside space for dogs and we need a bigger cattery.

"The high numbers of unwanted animals has always been there and it's never gone down.

"We are looking for property with land with a minimum of five to 10 acres to expand and provide a safe haven for even more cats and dogs. We want to keep it a family-knit thing where we are personally involved with every dog and cat."

Mrs Martinez said she would like to see the number of kennels increase from 26 to 36 as well as increase the number of cat pens.

"We have only got four cat pens, and the cat population is huge," she said. "We want better paddocks and improved outside facilities.

"Our access is limited here which has been a problem over the years."

To help raise the £1 million the family believe they need, they have launched a buy a brick appeal.

"Bricks cost £35 and include two lines of 16 characters," Mrs Martinez said. "It is a visible memory and it is nice for people as they can put what they want on the brick,"

"There are other ways to donate such as sponsor a pen.

"I have thought about it for two years and am new ready to launch it."

They would like the new premises to have a rehoming block, more comfortable accommodation for long-term animals, vet room, office, and meet and greet room.

Mrs Martinez added: "We know it could take a couple of years and it is difficult to move once you are established where you are."

The existing centre employs about four people, and more jobs are set to be created if a new one is built.