Animal rescue facing funding crisis

Hugo's looks after small animals such as fox Eddie, as well as primates and lizards

An animal rescue has had to temporarily stop taking new admissions because of a shortage of funds.

Hugo's Small Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Hambleton, Lancashire, looks after injured, abandoned and exotic animals from all over the UK.

Founder Bailey Lister, 22, said: "The bank account is looking very bleak. I don't know what the future holds for Hugo's".

The charity relies entirely on donations to survive and is currently looking after about 200 animals.

Among the animals cared for by the shelter are dogs, cats, foxes, primates, sheep, iguanas and boa constrictors.

"Neglect, abandonment and abuse doesn't stop because we close our doors," Mr Lister said.

He said it was an "awful shame" that so many charities were struggling for cash at the moment.

Hugo's Animal Rescue founder Bailey Lister says money is tight for the charity

Mr Lister founded the shelter as a teenager in 2018.

It was recently registered as a charity with the aim of "relieving the suffering of animals in need of care and attention", providing them with homes, and educating the public about animal welfare and the prevention of cruelty.

As well as homing the animals, it provides vaccinations, neutering, and other medical treatment.

A recent post on its Facebook page said: "In our seven years of rescuing and caring for vulnerable animals, we've never faced a crisis like this."