A dog sanctuary owner says she faces having to euthanise her animals as it risks closure. Ali Clark, from Dolgellau in Gwynedd, has more than 30 dogs in her care and has just over three weeks to find new premises after being served notice to leave.
Some 17 of the animals are classed as “unrehomeable” because she takes in dogs with severe behavioural problems. She is calling on landowners with existing kennels, or those with suitable stables where kennels could be built – preferably in Wales or along the England–Wales border – to get in touch.
Ali’s sanctuary, Chadkirk Dog Sanctuary, is currently based in Stockport. She travels and stays there from her Welsh home and is keen to find new premises closer by. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
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Some of the dogs come from an abusive or neglectful background. “People have come forward and said: ‘We’ll foster them, we’ll adopt them’,” she said. “But most of the dogs will only accept me. For example, what am I supposed to [do with] my collie Trigger, who won’t let anyone get near him to put a lead on him. He’s so shut down it’s taken me six months to get him to take a treat off me. Previously, he had been living in hell. I’m desperate to find somewhere suitable. Dogs are my life. I just can’t let them down. I need a Christmas miracle.”
Ali, 59, who has been in animal rescue for 10 years and saved hundreds of dogs, was given three months’ notice to find new premises but finding the right place is proving difficult.
Ali said it would break her heart to have them put to sleep. A GoFundMe has been launched to help her fund new premises and kennel equipment. You can support her here. “I know people will be outraged by me saying that, but that’s the reality,” she said, her voice wavering.
“There isn’t another sanctuary I would trust to give the dogs the life I give them. Most of them won’t let you in to look around. So many just keep them locked up in a kennel almost 24/7. That’s not a life, they are better off being euthanised. Here I try to get the dogs out as much as I can. I have an agility course, a small paddock, a courtyard and a therapy room with chaise lounges. I rotate them round so that they’re not just stuck in staring at four walls.”
(Image: Ali Clark / GoFundMe)
The dogs living long-term at the sanctuary include Gus, who was living in a garage for six years. There’s also Groober, a Romanian Mioritic Shepherd cross, who has guarding issues and won’t let anyone come near him except Ali. “These dogs can’t go to anyone else, I know their quirks,” she said.
Ali funds the sanctuary through her pension and hasn’t previously asked for donations, apart from at Christmas for a special dogs’ dinner. The amount she needs for new premises will depend on what offers come forward. “Costs can really escalate when building kennels. It really depends on what facilities are already on the land.
“Raising enough to buy premises would be a dream come true, as with renting there’s always the risk you will be asked to move on. But I appreciate that’s a big ask in such little time. If we can raise enough to rent somewhere and build kennels to get them safe that would be fantastic.”
She has been praised by fellow animal rescuers for taking in difficult dogs. Niz Khan, who runs Animal Adoption International, said Ali had taken in dogs she’d been unable to re-home. “She has a heart of gold,” said the 60-year-old from London. “The dogs have such a good life with her. They really thrive under her care. She gets up at 4am and walks them and she doesn’t stop until around 9pm.
“She has one of my dogs, a corgi cross called Michael, who is so lovely, but he’s been traumatised, I believe from a noose-type catchpole in Romania, and he bit me. But with Ali he hasn’t bitten in four years and he’s a happy dog there.”
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