Plymouth animal charity faces rising winter costs amid nine new arrivals

Animal rescue centre Gables has taken in nine retired racing Greyhounds as it faces rising winter heating costs and increasing pressure on its resources.

The Plymouth-based charity, which cares for unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats, said the sudden arrival of the Greyhounds has added to the strain during one of the most expensive periods of the year.

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General Manager Claire Sparkes told The Moorlander:

“Each winter we struggle with ever increasing heating bills, but we have to keep all our animals warm and comfortable, no matter what it costs our charity. 

‘We are blessed to be part of a wonderful community and hope that the public will get us through another winter, as I feel it will be a challenging one.

“Taking in 9 retired racing Greyhounds will certainly add to the pressures we face each day, but they are wonderful dogs who deserve to retire in style and I am really looking forward to them being adopted so they can live out their retirement in a warm loving forever home as that’s what it’s all about.”

The dogs, named Manny, Diego, Sid, Scrat, Wednesday, Lurch, Uncle Fester and Carmac, are now listed in the charity’s online “dogalogue”, where their photos and information are available.

They are described as generally gentle, calm dogs who need secure homes and owners able to manage larger breeds.

ABOVE: Uncle Fester (Greyhound, left) and Bilbo (Smooth fox terrier, right) (Credit: Gables)

The charity also says higher energy bills have continued to affect its running costs. 

Sparkes said that Gables has tried to cover some expenses by offering boarding services for pets and operating an on-site pet shop, with profits helping to fund its welfare work.

However, the rescue centre still depends heavily on donations and gifts left in wills to support the number of animals it takes in each year.

Gables has launched its winter heating appeal to help cover the extra cost of keeping kennels and cattery spaces warm during the colder months. 

The charity is also running a Christmas raffle, with details shared on its social media pages.

Photographs of the Greyhounds and further information about the animals currently at the centre are available on the Gables website.