Pat Kingsnorth, of the Ark on the Edge animal shelter near the village of Woodland, has been forced to consider downscaling because health problems mean she has to undergo two shoulder operations.
Along with cats, foxes, rabbits and birds, the Ark on the Edge is home to a variety of larger animals such as horses, sheep, goats and donkeys.
Ms Kingsnorth said: “I am going in for a fifth op on my shoulder and the hospital said they will only do it if I stop mucking out, carrying feed and doing heavy work. What they are saying is, I must not do any heavy lifting. Unless we can find some help, we have to downsize.
“When things go there will be no replacements. So there will not be any more large animals because I can’t do it.”
Ms Kingsnorth, who is the shelter’s chairwoman and its driving force, has already had a knee replacement and after an operation on her right shoulder, she will have another operation on her right shoulder. She can scarcely raise her right arm above her waist at the moment.
The 66-year-old said: “I am in constant pain, even sitting here now, so I am restricted to what I can do.”
Work that needs doing includes moving feedbags of between 20 and 30 kgs, cleaning out aviaries, pens and cages, and feeding the animals.
There are about five regular volunteers who help out in the morning but otherwise Ms Kingsnorth is alone at the sanctuary.
She said: “What we could do with is if people who could come up and help with the evening rounds which doesn’t take much because most of the hard work is done in the morning.” Ms Kingsnorth added that people only need to dedicate an hour or so of their time.
Evening work starts at about 6pm in summer and at 3pm in the winter. Morning work runs from about 9.30am to 11.30am. Anyone who can help can contact Ms Kingsnorth on 01388 630505 or 07970 802286.
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