North Devon Animal Ambulance has ‘busiest year yet’
North Devon Animal Ambulance's Diana Lewis. Picture: Sarah Howells - Credit: Archant
North Devon animal charity says things may not be getting any easier in 2016 with influx of new houses on the horizon.
A North Devon animal rescue charity has reported its busiest year yet - and things aren’t set to get any easier for 2016.
North Devon Animal Ambulance had its busiest year ever last year, according to founder Diana Lewis.
And it’s been a hectic start to the year too, with the latest call-out seeing volunteers rescue an injured seal pup at Clovelly on Wednesday.
Diana said: “The special care unit is constantly full; over Christmas we were practically looking for cupboards and draws to accommodate all the animals.”
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The charity rescues sick and injured animals, and re-homes animals that have been abandoned.
Diana said, sadly, there has been a rise in the number of people abandoning older pets in favour of new ones over recent years.
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She added: “Back in the day people used to make every excuse: ‘I’m moving house’, or ‘the children are allergic’.
“But unfortunately now people are openly admitting they don’t want older pets, and are getting rid of them in place of puppies or kittens.”
Diana said while the charity is currently coping to meet the demand, the influx of new housing planned for the area could put it under strain.
“With all the building and new people coming into the area, it will be difficult for us in the future,” she said.
“House-building is going to have a huge impact on a lot of charities so it will be interesting to see what happens.”
