Repairs crisis threat to dog rescue centre

Dogs may have to be moved out of a Wolverhampton rescue centre if urgent repairs to the kennels are not made, it emerged today.

Wulfrun Destitute Animal Rescue team houses around 18 unwanted dogs at its centre in Craddock Street, Whitmore Reans.

But a leaking roof means the volunteers can no longer safely heat the building. The group has received a quote of around £2,000 for the work but says it cannot afford the bill due to costs of caring for the pets.

The charity has been rescuing and rehoming dogs for around 30 years.

It also cares for and rehomes unwanted cats and other domestic animals.

Centre chairwoman Jean Gibbons warned today it would struggle to continue its work without getting the vital repairs done in time for the winter.

"The kennels will be a no-go area this winter as we have already been patching it up for a couple of years - it will not be patched up any more," she said.

"We were shocked when we found out how much it would cost. We can't afford that as we have to pay to look after the animals.

"We managed to get through the winter by using removable heaters and moving the dogs around but I'm sure we could not do that again this winter.

"Some could be rehomed and moved to other centres but some could not."

The 56-year-old, who also runs her own mobile dog clipping service, says the organisation never puts a healthy dog down.

The volunteers are now launching an urgent appeal to bring in raw materials to help complete the job.

Jean said the group had been promised help by labourers to do the work but just needed raw materials to start the rebuild.

They need plastic sheeting, any lengths of wood, boarding and breeze blocks.

"We would be so grateful for anyone's help in getting the materials and maybe even pick them up ourselves if needed," she said.

Anyone who can help supply materials is asked to telephone 01902 688838.