IT may have been scaled back, but there has been no let up in people seeking help from a dale based animal rescue charity.
Pat Kingsnorth ran the Ark on the Edge rescue and education centre at Woolley Hill Farm, near Woodland, for 16 years before health problems forced her to relocate to a nearby smallholding.
Mrs Kingsnorth moved out of the farm at the end of March and signed the end of lease in June.
She is now based at Ashtree Cottage, in Woodland, where she has about1.5 acres.
With her are six elderly cats, CJ, a horse, Shetland pony Toyah, a donkey called Magic and Millie the sheep.
“People are still calling thinking we are still on the farm despite the new details being shared on Facebook. I am doing what I can, putting people in touch with other rescuers.
“I just can’t take anything in myself at the moment,” she said.
“At this time of year, the calls are mainly about birds, baby rabbits and kittens.
“Every call will be answered and I will help where I can to direct people to other places.”
Having come through an operation on one shoulder, Mrs Kingsnorth faces surgery on the other in the next few weeks – and is hoping volunteers will come forward to help her look after the animals she does have at Ashtree Cottage.
“With my op coming up it’s mainly help looking after the cats,” she said.
“I have one young girl who is doing her Duke of Edinburgh Award with me, but I could do with volunteers during the week, especially in the mornings, if anyone can spare an hour or 90 minutes.”
Once she has recovered from the next bout of surgery, Mrs Kingsnorth plans to develop facilities at Ashtree Cottage.
“Once I have got myself sorted, I have still got enclosures to go up for birds, rabbits and guinea pigs,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Kingsnorth held her first fundraiser for the charity since undergoing the first operation and moving out of Woolley Hill Farm.
She took a table and supported the Dog’s Day Out event at The Hub in Barnard Castle last month, with her canine bran tub proving one of the most popular attractions among the four legged visitors.
