Halesowen pet rescue at breaking point with £3k bills

Peppers Pet Rescue, which is run by Sophie Pepper from her home on the Lodgefield estate, is making a desperate appeal for help after demand has soared.

The rescue took in 26 cats and a host of rabbits in January.

It owes the vets £3k and has in the last few weeks been hit with £1k of dental bills for just two cats.

Sophie, who is helped by a small team of volunteers, is having to make the heartbreaking decision to turn animals needing help away.

Cat Jimmy, (pictured below) who needed dental work, was bought to the centre as a poorly stray struggling to eat due to his teeth and Star was surrendered by her owner due to ill health.

Star, who has a sticky-out tongue, needs most of her teeth removing.

Joseph and Christmas also had to have dental work. Christmas was one of five cats found by a house clearance team after the owner had died.

Pic: Jimmy was brought in as a poorly stray

Mum-of-two Sophie said: "With dentals costing £480 each it’s a killer.

"We took in 26 cats in January, plus bunnies.

"I'm struggling to rehome bunnies and have minimal fosters.

"I'm having to say no to so many rabbits and guinea pigs needing to come in because we can’t rehome the ones we have and who are ready.

"It’s horrible.

"And it’s kitten season and have only four active fosterers.

"We put out an appeal for fosterers but had no interest at all.

"Demand is just far outweighing resources."

Pic: Christmas has also needed dental work

There are six rabbits ready for rehoming - all are heath checked, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

Anyone interested can visit Peppers Pet Rescue Facebook page - or call 07726 115672 and leave a message.

People can donate via Paypal to pepperspetrescue@hotmail.com or make a donation to the rescue via Starling Bank. Account Number: 23580828. Sort Code: 608371. Account Name: Sophie Pepper.