FERNE Animal Sanctuary has raised more than £67,000 since it announced an urgent appeal for donations to protect its future in May.

Despite the support the animal rehabilitation charity has received, an additional £33,000 is still needed to ensure its operations can continue.

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, aims to raise £100,000.

However, with veterinary and medical costs alone averaging more than £6,300 each month and supplies such as bedding costing more than £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, which is based near Chard and has a shop in Wellington, 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.

“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 have so far considerably improved the lives of several animals in need, including saving the life of a seven-year-old Shar Pei, Jessi. With support of the community and donations, following the sad passing of her owner, Jessi found sanctuary at Ferne, narrowly escaping a euthanasia appointment at the vets the same day.

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