€250,000 needed to build Kilfinane sanctuary extension
ANIMAL lovers with surplus cash in the kitty can show where their heart is-by donating to the Limerick Animal Welfare, desperately in need of funds to finance phase two of their Kilfinane sanctuary. Expansion has become a necessity because of the ever growing family of dogs, cats and horses, many left abandoned and being cared for by LAW.
The charity need to attain a loan of €250,000 in order to go ahead with plans, and are hoping that a generous benefactor will come forward.
Permission has been granted to build on a cattery, a sick bay for dogs, a vet’s room, an apartment, a tea room, stables, and more, to help those at the sanctuary continue their great work, but assistance with a loan is eagerly sought to make the vision a reality.
“The first phase of the sanctuary was originally built as an isolation unit”, vice chair of LAW Geraldine Gunning explained to the Limerick Post, “but because of the influx of animals, we have had to house them in this building.
“Our cats are currently in prefabs, which are not suitable on a long-term basis in case disease spreads. So, we need to build a cattery.
“We also need more space for dogs. In the last week, we had three pregnant bitches come in to us. One was heavily pregnant when she arrived and gave birth that night, so our numbers are constantly growing. At the moment, we have 70 dogs and at times there are waiting lists to take animals in because we are so often full to capacity.
“We need to build a sick room for dogs for when they are ill because if disease spreads, it would close us down”.
The sanctuary was initially to take in domestic animals while in it’s first phase of development, but it is now home to 12 horses who have been rescued by LAW.
“We only have three stables but we’ve had a big influx of horses that we’ve had to rescue from desperate situations and we had to buy shelters for them”.
LAW would be hugely grateful to anyone who is in a position to offer them a loan to build phase two of their sanctuary.
They are also seeking donations for their Parnell Street charity shop of every kind of item, except books, which there are plenty of at present.
Voluntary staff are also being sought for the shop, the proceeds of which go directly to the sanctuary.
A fundraising table quiz in aid of the sanctuary will be held in the Pery Hotel on Thursday May 13 at 7.30pm. Tickets are €10 per person.
