Blue Cross still re-homing pets

The animal charity spoke out after news that it is going ahead with its controversial plans to re-locate caused dismay in the Rye area.

The equine centre at Northiam is due to close at the end of this month with horses already being re-located, but the Blue Cross says it will be able to take and re-home cats and dogs for the forseeable future.

It also wanted to reassure people that a fund-raising sponsored Dog Walk this Sunday will be going ahead.

Centre manager Maria Marmo said: “We’d really like to let people know that The Blue Cross small animal centre is still open for rehoming pets that and the regular events like the sponsored walk are still happening.

“It is likely to be more than a year before a new location for the small animal centre is found and ready for us to move into. In the meantime we’ll still have lots of great pets looking for homes who need the continued support of the fantastic local community here. If you are looking for a new pet, do remember to come along and visit us.”

The charity says that facilities at St Francis Field, in Northiam, are outdated and no longer fit for purpose.

There are concerns locally that the land may be sold off for housing development, though the Blue Cross has denied it has any plans to this.

Animal lovers are invited to put on their walking shoes and join staff for the sponsored Dog Walk on Sunday from 10am to 1pm.

Walkers will take in the picturesque lanes and countryside surrounding the village of Northiam, before heading back to the centre to enjoy some well-earned refreshments.

Maria said: “The sponsored walk is always a really enjoyable event, especially when the sun shines on us. Come and join us and tell all your friends too! We have so many lovely cats and dogs at the centre right now and all the money raised will help us to care for them until they find the loving new homes they deserve.

“Just one of those animals is Beetle, a Jack Russell cross. Beetle has been at the centre for three months and would really love to find a happy new home to call his own.

“This playful, affectionate pooch is looking for a home where he can be the only pet and he would be happy to live with children of all ages. He loves people, playing with toys and going for walks.

For more information about the sponsored walk or to offer a home to Beetle or any of the other animals at the centre, call 01797 252243.