An animal welfare charity has issued a plea for more volunteers to come forward.

Happy Landings, an animal rescue centre at Pylle, say they can't do the work they do - rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals - without the support of a dedicated team of volunteers. 

And now they need your help to keep things running smoothly.

Opportunties include reception work, cuddling cats, walking dogs and hanging out with some of the smaller domestic animals waiting for forever homes.

Manager Sharon Edmonds says the roles include:

• Reception: Saturdays/Sundays, 10am - 3pm. You would be checking in/out boarders, answering the phone and dealing with queries. Some computer skills would be an advantage. (I hope to get a team so only committing to one Saturday/Sunday a month)
• Kennels: Monday - Thursday 9-12 & 1pm - 4pm or 9am - 4pm. Our amazing kennel staff need help cleaning the kennels and all the lovely dogs need a walkies! (weekly commitment needed)
• Cattery & small animals: Saturday mornings and afternoons 9am - 12pm & 12pm - 4pm. The gorgeous cats, rabbits (and the odd chicken!) waiting for their forever homes, need people to come and clean out their pens, cuddle and play with them. Possibly the toughest job here! (weekly commitment would be ideal or if we have a team, one Saturday a month)

She also paid tribute to the work of Paul O'Grady, known for lots of things - his comedy chat show, drag queen persona and devotion to animals. - who passed away unexpectedly last week.

"Paul was such an amazing advocate for the animals who, through no fault of their own, find themselves looking for new homes," she said.

"Paul understood that, although many of these dogs and cats weren't the perfect, pedigree animals that people tend to buy, these animals have histories, stories and wonderful characters. Talking from his own experience of rehoming dogs, he helped to get the message across that it's not always easy taking on a rehomed pet but, with time, love, patience and understanding, the rewards can be incredible."

If you are interested in rehoming an animal, please visit www.happy-landings.org.uk and if you'd like to volunteer at the shelter, please email Sharon Edmonds at: [email protected] or give her a call on 01749 860350.