The Mann Cat Sanctuary is going to the dogs!

Co-founder Sue Critchley has announced on the Santon-based charity’s Facebook page that it is opening a ’much-needed’ sanctuary for canines.

It will be run by Anita Williams and the team of animal lovers behind the Aid Rescue dogs auction group.

The dogs sanctuary will be based in the north of the island.

In a comment clearly directed at the MSPCA, those behind the new facility say no dogs will be incarcerated and there will be ’no euthanasia nor will there ever be an excuse for it either’.

Staff at Ard Jerkyll spoke out last year to defend putting down a four-year-old Staffordshire cross which was suffering from ’kennel stress’, saying it was a difficult decision made entirely on animal welfare grounds.

The Mann Cat Sanctuary announced on its Facebook page: ’We can say today that we are very close to opening a much-needed, permanent sanctuary on the island solely for dogs.

’This sanctuary will be run by Anita Williams and other caring compassionate people involved with Aid Rescue. This is desperately needed as there is nowhere on the island that acts as a sanctuary for dogs or compassionately cares for them.

’It will primarily be a re-homing sanctuary however, we do realise that not all dogs can be re-homed and in this case they will live their remaining years in safety, peace and harmony.

’There will be no dogs incarcerated in kennels and there will be no euthanasia nor will there ever be an excuse for it either. They will also have a compassionate and caring vet.’

Its statement added: ’If you are having problems or need to rehome your dog we would suggest you speak to Anita, every dog will be safe in her hands and there will always be a future for your dog.’

Aid Rescue holds regular auctions with all money raised going towards the dogs in their care.

The Mann Cat Sanctuary said that while it will do its best to help Aid Rescue, the situation at its Santon-based cat sanctuary will remain the same and all finances will be kept completely separate.

Anita said on the Aid Rescue Facebook page: ’The news is out! We open our long-awaited sanctuary this year, and as you know it is what I have always wanted to do. We now have backers and friends of Aid Rescue who believe in us.’