ANIMAL lovers who can provide good homes are needed by a new charity, which is seeing a large number of dumped pets come through their doors.

Hilary Bradshaw and Beverly Gaffney, the team behind Laurel Animal Rescue, boast 30 years’ experience between them volunteering for various animal charities.

Hilary, 56, from Sutton, explained that the animals come under their care for numerous reasons: “A lot of the time it’s due a change in family circumstances, or it can just be down to abuse.”

She also pointed to a worrying trend of advertising animals for sale on ‘for sale’ websites, which puts some at risk of being mistreated.

Hilary added: “We took in a couple of dogs that had been used for fighting. People had bought them over the internet, and then realised they were not fit for keeping as pets.

“The other day I came home with two rats, which I suspect were going to end up fed to a snake.”

Laurel has been up and running for just four months, but Hilary stressed that they are now desperate for foster carers for the animals until permanent homes can be found for them.

“We pay vets’ bills and their food. I had my last four dogs after fostering them. You just fall in love.

“We need people with a kind heart, who would be willing to take animals into their homes. And everybody who takes an animal in is home checked.”

A passionate animal lover and owner of a giant Gambian pouched rat, Hilary said her role in the charity has given her a new lease of life.

She said: “I worked for the council for many years and was devastated when I retired. But now I have got my mojo back.”

The pair already have plans to achieve charitable status in the future and are looking to attend events across St Helens during summer to raise funds.

Call 07930 867467 or 07590 900330 for information. Alternatively, email laurel animalrescue@yahoo.co.uk