Latest news with #ClaireSparkes
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Charity plea to donate bedding directly to site
An animal charity is asking people to stop putting bedding into its off-site donation points due to health and hygiene reasons. Gables Cats and Dogs Home in Plymouth said it was grateful for the much-needed donations but asked if people could take them directly to the charity instead. Manager Claire Sparkes said the collection bins, located at supermarkets and stores across the city, were becoming "overfull" with items including large duvets. She said it meant people could not get smaller items, such as pet food and litter into the collection boxes. She said: "Duvets are quite big and take up a lot of space, but we do need duvets at Gables. "The Greyhounds especially love them - as long as they're not feather ones - because as you can imagine, the chaos it causes. "When one gets ripped open the feathers go everywhere, and the staff spend hours trying to clean it all up." Ms Sparkes said they always needed duvets, towels, and blankets, as well as food, treats and toys for the animals. She said: "We always need old towels because we wash the dogs, especially if they get a bit muddy or wet." The collection bins also have a sign which states "no bedding in here please". Ms Sparkes said the charity had more than 100 cats and kittens in its care, some in foster homes, and between 45 to 50 dogs at the centre. "We are asking people to donate anything that we can use for animals like cat and dog treats and anything that we can spoil them with," she added. More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ More on this story Land near animal rescue centre saved by council Related internet links Gables
BBC News
20-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Plymouth charity asks people to donate bedding directly
An animal charity is asking people to stop putting bedding into its off-site donation points due to health and hygiene Cats and Dogs Home in Plymouth said it was grateful for the much-needed donations but asked if people could take them directly to the charity instead. Manager Claire Sparkes said the collection bins, located at supermarkets and stores across the city, were becoming "overfull" with items including large said it meant people could not get smaller items, such as pet food and litter into the collection boxes. She said: "Duvets are quite big and take up a lot of space, but we do need duvets at Gables."The Greyhounds especially love them - as long as they're not feather ones - because as you can imagine, the chaos it causes. "When one gets ripped open the feathers go everywhere, and the staff spend hours trying to clean it all up."Ms Sparkes said they always needed duvets, towels, and blankets, as well as food, treats and toys for the said: "We always need old towels because we wash the dogs, especially if they get a bit muddy or wet." The collection bins also have a sign which states "no bedding in here please".Ms Sparkes said the charity had more than 100 cats and kittens in its care, some in foster homes, and between 45 to 50 dogs at the centre. "We are asking people to donate anything that we can use for animals like cat and dog treats and anything that we can spoil them with," she added.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Land near animal rescue centre saved by council
Land near an animal rescue centre has been saved from auction after Plymouth City Council stepped in. Claire Sparkes, the manager of Gables, said a strip of land near the rescue centre's entrance was set to go to auction but the council managed to secure the land on behalf of the charity. "I was overwhelmed and quite lost for words," said Ms Sparkes. Last year National Highways, which previously owned the strip of land on Merafield Road in Plymouth, put it up for sale. The council said the land was independently valued on behalf of the council and National Highways and both parties had now agreed to the transaction. "Plymouth City Council stepped up and have helped us acquire this extra bit of land at no cost to taxpayers," said Ms Sparkes. "Our supporters are covering the cost of this purchase and no funds will be used by the council." Ms Sparkes said the charity had raised £10,000 via a fundraiser set up to cover the cost of the auction. Now that the auction was not going ahead, she said the money would be used for the site and legal fees. "We reached our target of £10,000," she said. "The money will go towards the legal costs involved with our solicitors, covering the costs of Plymouth City Council and their legal fees and the cost of purchasing the land." Ms Sparkes said she was "incredibly grateful" to the council, local councillors and supporters for donating and "rallying around in the background" to help secure the land during what was a "stressful time" for the charity. Ms Sparkes said the strip of land would remain as a nature reserve. "All we're doing is extending our boundary back to the road and keeping the bit of land as a nice little nature reserve for all the trees and all the wildlife as well so it will stay exactly as it is," she said. Cabinet member responsible for assets Cllr Chris Penberthy said: "The charity does an incredible job and we wanted to remove this unnecessary worry. More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Land auction near charity postponed after concerns Plymouth City Council Gables
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Land near Plymouth animal rescue centre saved by council
Land near an animal rescue centre has been saved from auction after Plymouth City Council stepped Sparkes, the manager of Gables, said a strip of land near the rescue centre's entrance was set to go to auction but the council managed to secure the land on behalf of the charity."I was overwhelmed and quite lost for words," said Ms year National Highways, which previously owned the strip of land on Merafield Road in Plymouth, put it up for sale. The council said the land was independently valued on behalf of the council and National Highways and both parties had now agreed to the transaction."Plymouth City Council stepped up and have helped us acquire this extra bit of land at no cost to taxpayers," said Ms Sparkes."Our supporters are covering the cost of this purchase and no funds will be used by the council."Ms Sparkes said the charity had raised £10,000 via a fundraiser set up to cover the cost of the that the auction was not going ahead, she said the money would be used for the site and legal fees."We reached our target of £10,000," she said."The money will go towards the legal costs involved with our solicitors, covering the costs of Plymouth City Council and their legal fees and the cost of purchasing the land." Ms Sparkes said she was "incredibly grateful" to the council, local councillors and supporters for donating and "rallying around in the background" to help secure the land during what was a "stressful time" for the Sparkes said the strip of land would remain as a nature reserve."All we're doing is extending our boundary back to the road and keeping the bit of land as a nice little nature reserve for all the trees and all the wildlife as well so it will stay exactly as it is," she member responsible for assets Cllr Chris Penberthy said: "The charity does an incredible job and we wanted to remove this unnecessary worry.
