A CHARITY in Leamington dedicated to rehoming animals is desperate to find a new home of its own.
The lease of the Blue Cross charity shop on Regent Street is up in May and the charity cannot afford to renew it.
Manager Rachel Orme – who has worked in the shop for five years – has been busy looking for alternative premises but has yet not had any luck find an affordable premises close to the town centre.
The fear is the shop, which has been open for a around a decade, will have to shut for good if a new home cannot be found.
She said: “I’m very emotional about it. I used to be a teacher and bar manager but this is the job I have enjoyed the most. I have so much left to give to Blue Cross. It’s an exceptional charity.
“Obviously I have been looking for a new job and I actually got offered two but I turned them down because I’m hopeful.”
Rachel described the team – which included more than 20 dedicated volunteers – as a ‘tight-knit family’ which often socialised outside work.
She added: “Some of them have been here for years and they’re very upset. They are here because they’re dedicated to the Blue Cross. Many of them have taken in pets rehomed by the charity.”
The Blue Cross rehomes cats, dogs and other pets, and even horses, as well as providing veterinary care for pet owners receiving benefits.
The charity also runs courses to promote responsible pet ownership and for horse care.
And it was the first animal charity to provide a pet bereavement support service.
Visit www.bluecross.org.uk for more information and to make a donation.
* The Leamington shop team is also holding an information stall in the Royal Priors shopping centre tomorrow (Friday).
