AN ANIMAL sanctuary saved by an Oxford Mail campaign has appealed for more money to help the animals in its care.

Animal lovers turned out in force as Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, which faced closure in 2009, held its annual open day.

Last year’s event raised more than £3,000 for the sanctuary and it is hoping this year’s, held on Sunday, will have proved just as lucrative.

Kathy Jones, who is on the sanctuary’s committee, said: “We would like to do a lot more, but we don’t have the funds. We always need more money because, if we had more money, we could do more.

“We would like to vaccinate every cat, but there is no point us doing it and then closing.”

“We were desperate in 2009. We were down to the last penny, but people rallied round and saved us.”

A campaign supported by the Oxford Mail raised more than £77,000 to keep the Stadhampton sanctuary running, but most of that went to pay off vet and food debts.

The sanctuary, which has been going for more than 40 years, is currently home to more than 200 cats and more than 100 dogs, as well as rabbits, goats and other animals.

This year’s open day featured a blessing service for the animals and included an ice cream stall, tombola and the opportunity to look around the sanctuary.

Ms Jones said: “It went very well and was a nice day.

“We get a nice crowd. Last year we had people come from the other side of Swindon.

“We never turn an animal away so we need people to come to these open days.”

Animal sanctuary helper Natalie Fishlock-Gibbs, 25, said: “It was a great day. A lot of people turned up and we had lovely weather.

“People are always interested in seeing the animals and the more people we can let know about the sanctuary the better.”

The sanctuary recently experienced an upturn in its intake, due, apparently, to the economic climate. It now has a waiting list of people hoping to leave their pets there.

Ms Jones said: “We have just had the foundations laid for our new cattery and we would love to get the money for some proper built kennels.”

Last month, it was revealed fashion designer Alexander McQueen had left the Burford-based Blue Cross animal charity £100,000 in his will.

  • To donate to the centre, call 01865 890239 or visit oxfordshireanimal sanctuary.org.uk