’Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened,’ French writer Anatole France said.

In 2019 hundreds of our rescue animals brought happiness and companionship to their adoptive owners and, judging by the comments in the many Christmas cards we received, they have also brought the magic of unconditional love.

On these dark, gloomy winter days there is something uplifting and optimistic about a dog’s wagging tail, a cat’s purr, or a rabbit’s hop - they raise the spirits like nothing else can.

But we have several animals who have yet to be given the opportunity to do this, and who have spent most of the past year being overlooked by potential new owners.

So, as we move into 2020 we would like to give a special mention to these wonderful animals in the hope that a new year will bring them all a new home.

First mention goes to Maisie, a 10-year-old tortoiseshell Manx cat.

She’s super sweet, very friendly and loves to be fussed over, but she’s also content to potter around and do her own thing. She’s lived with other animals before and so she would adapt well to most environments, but she would probably prefer to live in a reasonably quiet house.

Her new owners will need to be prepared for her to have a very occasional ’accident’ - incontinence is fairly typical in Manx cats, and Maisie has had several litters of kittens which may well be exacerbating the problem. She has had lots of tests and there’s nothing medically wrong with her, and so we have no way of correcting matters.

Our second special mention goes to Rebecca and Munch, who are middle-aged rabbits in the prime of their lives. They are very attractive and look alike in that they are both mostly white with a few brown patches, and they have lovely big brown eyes, but Rebecca has lop ears that frame her face, whereas Munch has large pointy ears.

They are very clean and tidy and always use their litter tray, and so they could be house rabbits.

Ideally, though, we would love them to have an outdoor run so that they can enjoy eating grass and sunbathing.

Our third extra special animal is Blue, a five-year-old labrador cross who is looking for new owners who have the time and patience he needs.

He’s come a long way over the last 12 months having had a tough start in life.

He’s now coping with new experiences in a really positive way, and he’s coming out of his shell, slowly but surely.

The kennels team adore him because of his complexities, and because he has a depth of personality that not all dogs have.

He will need to live in a calm household, as the only animal, with owners who will be consistent and persistent with his ongoing training.

Blue will repay the time and effort invested in him a million times over.

We’re only able to rescue and rehome animals like Maisie, Rebecca, Munch and Blue thanks to the generosity and support of the Manx public, because we don’t receive funding from the government to help us do this.

Every penny counts, as does every donation of a tin of dog or cat food, or a bag of treats.

Please remember us in your will - we are reliant upon legacies and they provide us with essential funds, that ensuring that we are able to continue to rescue and rehome animals in need in the 2020s, and beyond.

And finally, please ’adopt don’t shop’ for your next pet.

Even if we don’t have the animal that’s right for you at the moment, why don’t you fill out a home finder questionnaire (available on our website) and let us know what you’re looking for?