THEY have been taking care of abandoned animals for 20 years.

But last month Bicester animal rescue charity Tiny Paws Rehoming held their most successful fundraising event ever with a Facebook auction.

The charity launched the two-week sale at the end of November, selling clothes, toys, games and crafts donated by supporters.

They raised £1,200 and Barclays Bank in Bicester matched that with another £1,000.

Now the four trustees are planning to use the social network to hold regular auctions to help pay their £12,000 annual vets bill.

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Sophie Grose, 20, said it had been a “substantial” help for the charity, which currently cares for 35 rabbits, two chinchillas, some guinea pigs and a hamster.

Miss Grose, of Caversfield, said: “It’s definitely great news. We all worked really hard and this brought in a substantial amount.

“There aren’t many animal rescues around, and they mostly care for dogs and cats.

“The animals we care for always end up getting the rough end of the deal, but these guys all need attention too.”

She added: “It’s hard work but it’s really rewarding.”

Tiny Paws was founded 20 years ago by Caversfield resident Carol Spencer, who keeps all the animals in her back garden.

Each animal has a course of worming, flea or mite treatment, is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped and has a full veterinary check prior to rehoming.

The charity’s vet bill since April 1, 2014, currently stands at £12,837, and trustees frequently go to car boot sales to raise the cash needed.

The centre gained official charity status in August last year thanks to the efforts of trustee Becky Grose, Sophie’s mother, who lives in Bicester.

Mrs Grose, 49, said: “We are constantly striving to get funds, we constantly owe the vet money.”

She and the fourth trustee, Laura O’Malley, 30, of Oxford, put out an appeal for donations for their auction at the end of last year.

They were overwhelmed by the hundreds of items they were given, from jigsaw puzzles to a dinner suit that sold for £30.

Mrs Grose, who works at a school in Bicester, said: “It was fantastic for us, to the point that people have been asking us to do another.

“It was a huge success.”

She said the charity was planning to hold its next Facebook auction at Easter.


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