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Time running out for Hull rescue centre owner and 39 animals being forced out of city base

'I'll live in my car if I have to but I'm looking at these animals every day thinking whats going to happen to them?'

[Amy Donoghue with rescue poodle Ruby]

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Amy Donoghue with rescue poodle Ruby(Image: UGC)

A Hull animal rescue centre owner says she is facing living in her car and losing all her cats, dogs and rabbits, with just three weeks left before she must move out from her current base. Time is now running out for Amy Donoghue, who has told how she has been desperately trying to raise the cash needed to move.

We told in November how Amy, who has been rescuing animals for more than 14 years, had been forced to start looking for a new base after her landlord announced plans to sell the Harley Street home she rents, which also acts as the Never Give Up cat sanctuary. The deadline of February 6 is now looming large, although there are hopes she will have longer as the landlord will have to raise an eviction notice after that date if she has still not found a new home for the rescue centre.

She previously revealed how her former pet shop operation gradually became the rescue service, simply by caring for unwanted animals that were sent her way. Over the last six years she has rescued and rehomed thousands of cats, dogs and other animals, and currently has more than 34 cats, three dogs and two rabbits at the house.

But their future is in jeopardy because, despite her best efforts and the launch of a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe, she has been unable to find anywhere to move. She said: Im just praying for a miracle. I dont know what Im going to do.

Last year Amy established Never Give Up Rescue CIC as a Community Interest Company, directing funds to where theyre needed to pay for food, vets bills and other essentials for the cats that she takes in. Her ultimate goal has been to raise 40,000 which could be used to purchase land or a suitable property at auction where she can construct purpose-built, secure facilities for the cats.

[Smile for the camera: the group Amy has dubbed the Feral Dingles]

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Smile for the camera: the group Amy calls the Feral Dingles(Image: UGC)

A static caravan in Skipton has been offered as accommodation for Amy to live on alongside the animal pens - but she cant take ownership of the caravan until she can find some land. A tearful Amy told us how she is desperate for a farmer, landowner or landlord to come forward and help her

She said: "I cant find anywhere. Ive sent emails to farms to see if anyones got any land, Ive been in touch with every landlord I can think of. I just dont know what I can do. I cant even find anywhere to rent with me and my own animals, if I gave up the rescue, which I cant even contemplate.

Ive been given a big caravan which I could live in, but Ive got nowhere where I can put it. If I gave up the rescue I dont know what would happen to animals. All the animals I have left are the unhomeable ones. Ive rehomed all the ones that can be.

Ive got ones here with feline aids, or are messy, with long term illnesses. And then theres the 14 ferals in the garden which Ive had eight to nine years. Im not even worried about me, its the animals Im worried about, its breaking my heart. Ill live in my car if I have to.

I dont want to give it up at all but I just dont know what else to do. Theres a patch of land near Patrington for sale for 20,000 with planning permission which is ideal, but I cant put in for it until I have the money. Im putting the fundraiser out there as much as I can and if anyones got any ideas for more fundraising, or want to do fundraising for me I really want to hear from them.

She said supporters have been holding fundraising nights, so some money is still coming in from events. On January 30 two local businesses Lilys Bake House on Holderness Road and Brew on Bond Street are also hosting all-day Board Game Bonanza fundraisers, with tombolas and raffles.

Amy added: The money is coming in, just not quick enough. Im looking at all these animals every day thinking whats going to happen to them? Thats whats killing me more than anything. I just need to know that theyre going to be safe.

To make a donation visit the Crowdfunder page here, where you can also contact Amy.

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