Shropshire animal rescue centre raises £140,000 toward project to find new home
The owners of a Shropshire animal rescue centre have raised £140,000 as part of an ambitious £1 million project to build a new base.
The money has been raised to find a new home for Grinshill Animal Rescue Centre, near Wem, through a mixture of donations and the launch of a buy-a-brick appeal in the summer.
Jenny Martinez started rescuing animals more than 30 years ago and runs the centre with her daughter Kate Aspinall.
The pair realised they have outgrown the current base and now need somewhere with a minimum of five to 10 acres to expand and provide a safe haven for even more cats and dogs.
The duo would also like to see the number of kennels increase from 26 to 36 as well as increase the number of cat pens.
The buy-a-brick appeal was launched to help fundraise and donors can purchase a brick for £35 and include two lines of 16 characters.
Mrs Martinez said: "We are surprised and very pleased with how much we have raised so far.
"We have had a number of donations as well as money from the brick appeal.
"Although we are trying to raise £1 million we would like to get to £400,000. We think that would be enough to buy a property and change it to meet our requirements.
"We went to look at some land the other day but it got sold at auction. After Christmas we will be actively looking.
"It has got to be in the right area, somewhere between here and Shrewsbury. It has also got to be accessible and have no neighbours.
"There are a lot of boxes to tick.
"We hope everything we will be done within a two year-time frame.
"We have got virtual plans which will be going on our website.
"We will also be putting a wall on our website where people will be able to see the bricks they have bought."
She added: "We have outgrown in terms of outside space for dogs and we need a bigger cattery.
"We want better paddocks and improved outside facilities.
"Our access is limited here which has been a problem over the years."
Recently, Kate Hudson, treasurer of Market Drayton Darts League, presented a cheque for £285 to the rescue centre.
The centre relies mostly on donations and takes in stray and abused cats and dogs and tries to rehome them.
With their target still a long way off, bosses are calling on more people to get involved.
For more information visit the website at www.grinshillanimalrescue.co.uk
