Firsland Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1994 by Maxine Corbitt. Originally envisaged as a stabling business for horses, it quickly became a place where people would bring unwanted pets, farm animals and injured wild animals, because Maxine's love and compassion for them was well known. She did not have it in her nature to refuse to help these poor creatures, which were often aged, infirm or the victims of horrific abuse and neglect.

She used to dread turning up in the morning because often she would find either a pathetic looking goat tied up to the gate or a box with a lame cat in it. The sights she was greeted by can only be imagined by most of us.

Soon the stabling business became a secondary consideration and she was engaged full-time in looking after all these animals.

Today she looks after over 300 creatures, including ducks, chickens, geese, goats, horse, pigs, rabbits, cats, dogs, gerbils and even baby seagulls.

Most have a dreadful history of misfortune or abuse, usually at the hands of human beings. Maxine often acts as the last resort for creatures which have been refused by other well-known animal charities or are about to be put down by them. She takes the ones no-one else will look after, because they are too old or sick to be re-homed, or are past their useful lives on a farm.

With only a very limited income from stabling and the selling of eggs, Maxine has had to fund her work from fund-raising, well-wishers and benefit events. This has, however, never been remotely enough, and all the shortfalls she has had to finance out of her own pocket, with the help of her patient and generous partner, Keith.

Maxine works from early in the morning through to the evening, every single day of the year. Animals don't have holidays from eating! She is working on behalf of all of us and our consciences and having to pay to do it as well.

A group of Maxine's friends and supporters of her work have decided that, although benefit events and one-off donations are always welcome, this is not sufficiently reliable to allow her to continue her valuable work without having to worry constantly about money. She has enough to do, just looking after the animals.

Unfortunately, none of us are rich enough to solve her problems single-handed, but collectively we could make a difference, and we have hit upon an idea which, if sufficiently successful, could make the Sanctuary financially secure for the future.

It costs £15,000 per year or £1,250 per month just to keep the Sanctuary afloat. All it would take, therefore, would be for 125 people to donate £10 per month each and every month and all the costs would be covered. Any other moneys raised in addition could be used to fund improvements and repairs to the facilities, which are woefully inadequate at present.

Can you help?

It doesn't have to be £10 per month, it could be £5, £20 or even more, but collectively we can make a huge difference. £10 per month is only just over £2 per week; less than the cost of a packet of cigarettes. Please help. Maxine and the animals will be eternally grateful.

To find out how to do this please contact:

Firsland Animal Sanctuary
Pitland Lane,
Daccombe,
Devon,
TQ3 3MM
01803 326954 / 558091

It will be one phone call about money that she won't dread to take!

Thanks you for your help.

You will be a True Friend of Firsland Animal Sanctuary.