Shelter to host festive fund-raiser
WOODSIDE Animal Centre will be holding one of its biggest fund-raisers next weekend.
Its annual Christmas Market will be on November 23 and 24.
Although it is a branch of the RSPCA, the rescue shelter is a self-funded charity which means it receive nos funding from the Government, Lottery or central RSPCA.
A spokesman said: “Although the RSPCA support us as best they can, we run fund-raising events throughout the year in order to raise as much money as possible to care for the animals at our centre.
“We usually have over 200 animals in our care, this ranges from animals who are handed over by the public, animals brought in by RSPCA inspectors and animals living at our centre while the RSPCA put their cruelty case through the court.
“The animals we care for all regularly need medical or behavioral treatment which can be very costly, we do ask for a donation fee when our animals are ready for adoption but this is minimal compared to the cost of caring for an animal at our centre.
“The Christmas Market is one of our biggest fund-raisers and is vital for ensuring we raise enough funds to directly care for the animals at Woodside.
“We have visits from Frozen’s Anna, Elsa & Olaf, Santa’s Magical Grotto, a fun ice rink, over 50 craft stalls and festive food and drink.”
All money raised at the event goes directly to Woodside Animal Centre.
The spokesman added: “A big way of also helping us during Christmas is by purchasing an item from our on-site pet shop and donating it to the animal centre.
“All profits made in our pet shop go straight back into the centre, so by doing so you would be supporting us twice.”