Animal sanctuary appeal for help after storm damage

Staff at Brockswood Animal Sanctuary in Sedgley are appealing for public support after Storm Goretti destroyed much of their site.

A handful of their team were able to get into the sanctuary on Friday morning and described the damage to enclosures as "heartbreaking" and "devastating".

Animal homes, including newly built structures that were meant to last for years collapsed during Thursday evening and led to the death of one of the animals in their care.

Brockswood has been rehoming and caring for rescued animals for over two decades and, posting on social media, called this "one of the darkest moments in its history".

A spokesperson said: "We have had to evacuate and temporarily rehouse [animals] who should feel settled and safe have been moved in cold, frightening conditions, simply because staying where they were was no longer an option.

"Every decision has been made under intense pressure, with their welfare at the centre, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

"As daylight faded and work outside had to stop for safety reasons, the reality is really sinking in. Even basic care has taken everything we have.

"The physical toll has been huge...but the mental toll is beyond anything else. The responsibility, the fear of getting it wrong, the grief, and the sheer weight of trying to hold everything together for so many lives is overwhelming.

"We won’t be open for some time. Our entire focus has to be on emergency care, safety, and trying to stabilise what remains. This isn’t a short closure or a tidy fix, this is survival mode."

Bosses are appealing for the help of local people to get the sanctuary back up and running. 

You can donate online at brockswood.org.uk/donate or via their dedicated GoFundMe page which aims to raise £15,000.

The spokesperson added: "Thank you for standing with us...we will keep going for our wonderful residents".