AN animal sanctuary is appealing to people to donate their unwanted blankets and duvets to keep hundreds of animals warm through the winter.

The 94 dogs and 150 cats at Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary are in constant need of new bedding, and wardens have asked members of the public to help as the weather turns colder.

Among those needing a fresh supply of bedding is five-year-old American Bulldog Millie, who arrived hairless at the sanctuary, in Stadhampton, in June, suffering with mange.

Warden Maggie Whalley said: “When she first came in, we had to change her bedding twice a day. Even now we change her blankets every day.”

Seventeen-year-old Joey, who underwent surgery on Monday to remove a cyst, also needs new bedding. The Jack Russell, who had 24 teeth removed because of a mouth infection, is now recovering.

Miss Whalley said: “If we don’t have blankets, dogs like Joey have to lie on shredded newspaper. Blankets are a lot more comfortable and much warmer.”

Miss Whalley said people could leave bedding at charity shops in South Parade, Oxford; Corn Street, Witney; Broadway, Didcot; or at the Watlington Road sanctuary.

She added: “We will take any blankets and duvets as long as they are not feather, which the dogs tend to chew up and leave everywhere.”

Kennel attendant Emily Walton, 24, said: “We do not have a washing facility on site here, so when blankets get really dirty, we have to throw them away.

“We especially need blankets as we come up to winter.”

Each year, the sanctuary takes in 500 unwanted, sick or injured animals with the aim of rehoming them, and promises never to turn an animal down.

The sanctuary was saved from closure last year when the Oxford Mail supported an appeal to raise thousands of pounds.

Last December, its long-term future was secured when former supporter Vivian Kirk left his four-bedroom Jericho home to the sanctuary in his will, raising £452,500 at auction.