'No animal should suffer' Cradley Heath charity helps pet owners with vet bills, food and advice

Angie's Helping Hands on Cradley Heath High Street was started by volunteers with a love for animals and over 100 years of animal rescue experience between them. 

The purpose of the charity is to offer accessible pet care for everyone at affordable prices, and to support pet owners who may need help and advice on any aspect of pet care. 

The charity also aims to neuter as many pets as possible following an increase in unwanted litters, abandoned animals and overflowing animal rescue centres. 

Volunteer Caroline Chapman said: "Free and cheap neutering for people on benefits is not as easy to access as it once was, there are more and more unwanted litters of kittens and puppies being born. Animal rescue in this country is in crisis like never before. The increase in the cost of living means many people are struggling to care for and keep their pets. 

"In addition the amount of animals that were bred during lockdown, many of these animals were not bred with good health being the main concern, which has presented another set of problems and resulted in high vet bills for their owners, some are surrendered simply because owners cannot pay the vet bills.

"Sometimes a cuppa and a chat is all people need to boost their confidence and reassure them they are doing the right things for their pet," Caroline added.

The Cradley Heath shop works like a regular charity shop, selling clothes and brick-a-brac that was donated to them, but also offers pet-care services and advice.  

The group of volunteers will 'never turn anyone away' if they can help them, whether it be offering advice on flea and worm treatment, pet behavioural issues, pet food, helping with the cost of neutering or an unforeseen vet bill. 

Angie Gelencser, who opened the Cradley Heath High Street site back in April, spoke about why she started the charity.  

The 69-year-old said: "I've always been in rescue, and I am big into neutering. I will neuter everything and anything if I can because we need to cut the population down of cats and dogs. 

"We decided to open the shop as a means to provide any animals whose owners needed food, vets, neutering. That's how it started. If anyone wants any advice they can come in and ask us, and we can point them in the right direction if they need rescue space."

She has also gone to lengths to help members of the community.

"We had a man whose dog had an infection in the womb, she needed it removed immediately or she would die. The PDSA quoted £400 to do it, in comparison to a normal vet who would charge £1200. He couldn't afford to pay £400 in one go, so we paid for him, and over the weeks and months, he paid us back.

"Our goal is to help any animal in any shape or form. We can't pay thousands because we haven't got the funds, but we will help in any way we can."

The 10 volunteers at Angie's Helping Hands want to remind people who are struggling with pet care that there is an accessible and affordable option for them. 

"There shouldn't be any need for any animal to suffer," Angie said. 

Angie's Helping Hands can be found at  122 High St, Cradley Heath B64 5HE.