Will you be our Valentine?
ASHBOURNE Animal Welfare’s residents will be missing out on a key time of year for rehoming opportunities, as they prepare to spend Valentine’s Day in lockdown – so the charity is helping them to send out Valentine’s cards.
The dogs and cats that are currently residing at The Ark, in Wyaston Road, are featured on this page and people can apply to have a laminated “Be My Valentine” picture sent out to them or a loved one, in exchange for a £10 donation.
The rescue and rehoming centre would usually have been gearing up to welcome dozens of people for a Valentine’s open day this month, but all events have been cancelled since the first lockdown last year.
The current lockdown has also scuppered plans to hold a big celebration of 20 years since The Ark opened in February 2001.
These events would all have been important fund-raisers for the charity, which has been struggling to keep up its income since the pandemic hit.
A spokesman for the charity said: “Sadly, The Ark has been closed to the public since the first lockdown last March, however, we have continued to take in emergency admissions of both cats and dogs and consequently have several residents who would very much like to be picked as your Valentine this year, even if they cannot be chosen for adoption right now.
“So if you have a ‘lonely heart’ and would like to have a Valentine of your own this year, why not let one of The Ark’s cats and dogs help?
“At the same time you would be helping the charity raise some money to make up for not being able to have an actual Be My Valentine open day. Of course, you might also have someone special you want to send a Valentine to.”
The Be My Valentine pictures of a chosen cat or dog cost £10 and can either be sent directly to you, a friend or loved one.
To find out more, or to order a card, visit the charity’s website at www.ashbourneanimalwelfare.org, call 01335 300494 or post a cheque payable to Ashbourne Animal Welfare to The Ark, Wyaston Rd, Ashbourne, DE6 1NB, giving your details and which Valentine you have chosen.
NOEL – I like to clown around
ELLA – a shy girl
JESSE – man about town; confident and outgoing... We could have fun!
REGGIE – I’ll roll over and make room for you
CASSIE – am I the lassie for you?