AN ANIMAL rescue centre has closed due to lack of funding and costly hoax calls.
The Denbighshire Wildlife and Avian Rescue Centre in Bodelwyddan has temporarily closed its doors to sick and injured creatures as the staff cannot afford the fuel and food expenses.
Geoff Leedham, who set up the centre after losing his hand in an accident, said: “We’ve run out of money. I’m going to try to get it going again, but for now we can’t collect animals. We really want to carry this on, but without backing, it’s impossible.”
Mr Leedham said that over December, the centre “ambulance” had been sent out on 14 or 15 false calls.
He said: “That’s wasted a lot of petrol running around here and everywhere. It used a lot of money. Fuel costs a lot and we’ve just changed the tires on the car. We can’t do it any more.”
There are still a number of patients at the centre, including three owls, a parrot and a ferret called Sid being cared for by eight volunteers.
The rescue centre has been supported up till now by bag packing fundraisers, anonymous donations and the Leedham family, as Mrs Leedham works part time in the Spar while Mr Leedham is waiting for an operation to replace a broken pin in his arm.
Mr Leedham said: “I still work part time too, but I fell on my arm and broke a steel pin put in my arm to stabilise the bones. It will be February before I can see a doctor.
“We were going to apply for charity status, but we need to raise £5,000 and the money is going out faster than it’s coming in.
“There are generous people out there, like the lady who sent an anonymous cheque. I feel as though I’m letting everyone down. It’s killing me. We’re absolutely gutted.”