A SOMERSET animal rescue still needs additional funds to ensure its operation can continue despite raising over £67,000 since May.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary needs £33,000 to keep its animals safe.

To date, Ferne Animal Sanctuary, which provides a safe haven for over 300 animals and relies on the dedication of 10 staff and several volunteers, has raised 67 per cent of its £100,000 goal.

However, with the Sanctuary’s veterinary and medical costs alone averaging over £6,300 each month and supplies such as bedding costing over £2,000 per month, there is still a long way to go to ensure Ferne can continue this level of care.

Kevan Hodges, chief executive officer at Ferne Animal Sanctuary, said: "I want to say thank you, on behalf of our animals in need and the amazing Ferne team, for the generosity and kindness our supporters and the community have shown us since we announced our urgent appeal

(Image: Ferne Animal Sanctuary)

“We have passed the halfway mark in our target of £100,000 to see the sanctuary through the summer months, which is already making an incredible life-changing difference to our animals.

"We still have a long way to go, to ensure we can continue our animal welfare and care to the more than 300 vulnerable animals we home currently.

“Due to such difficult pasts, many of our animal residents are not suitable for rehoming, which puts them at greater risk if we are unable to maintain all our services as a charity.

“Please help if you can, no donation is too small. Thank you - from all of us here at Ferne Animal Sanctuary.”

Donations raised for the Ferne Animal Sanctuary urgent appeal have so far considerably improved the lives of several animals in need, including saving the life of a seven-year-old Shar Pei girl, Jessi, and Labrador-crossbreed, Rocky.

In the past two years, the charity’s hard costs have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, with vet and medical bills rising by over 46 per cent, feed and bedding rising by over 30 per cent, utilities and compulsory professional fees rising by over 50 per cent, and the cost of labour increasing by circa 20 per cent.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary has taken action to grow its income streams and reduce operational costs to offset the relentless rise in prices, however, the situation now sees the charity face an ultimate cash crisis.

To offer support to more than 300 animals at risk, please follow this link: www.justgiving.com/campaign/urgentappealforferne

For more information about Ferne Animal Sanctuary, please visit www.ferneanimalsanctuary.org