Major changes planned at Wetheriggs animal centre

BIG changes are afoot at Teesdale animal sanctuary in the new year.
Wetheriggs Animal Rescue and Conservation Centre, at Thorpe Farm off the A66, is undergoing a major renovation with a new classroom and a “hospital and rehabilitation centre” in the pipeline.
The rescue centre has consolidated its position in the past two years but manager Terry Bowes revealed his aims for 2017.
He said: “There is lots going on – we have got a new roof on the barn and it’s looking really good and we’re planning to come out of our old home in the middle of January.
“This year we are hoping we will have a pet shop licence – it opens up that building even more and allows us to rehome more exotic animals.”
Wetheriggs is home to everything from snakes to sheep but Mr Bowes said this time of year often sees an influx of unwanted rabbits and guinea pigs.
He said: “People do not think when they buy them – children get sick of them and it’s left to mum and dad to ring the rescue centre.
“However, we have had fewer reptiles – people are doing more research which is good.
“I think the countries of origin are stamping it out – it’s not necessarily what Britain is doing.”
Mr Bowes said rehoming was going well and since its move from Cumbria to Teesdale the centre had strengthened relationships with other organisations.
He added: “We have been working closely with the Job Centre in Richmond and the job club there – we’ve also got links with people in education.
“We get on well with Ark on the Edge and Kevin at Kays Hill – it’s good we all seem to be singing off the same hymn sheet.”
But life on tight margins means more help is always welcomed.
Mr Bowes added: “We need to make a big push for volunteers this year – we have quite a good team now but people go off to university and use it as a stepping stone.
“They go on to bigger and better things and get into work which is really good.”
“The big thing this year is we need to double our visitor numbers.”