Help save 30 sanctuary dogs from euthanisia

Ali Clarke runs Chadkirk Dog Sanctuary in Stockport and has to vacate her kennels imminently - the 30 dogs in her care are at risk. She has a heart of gold and has taken in dogs with behavioural problems. The dogs that noone want. Many are victims of abuse/neglect.

Initially Ali had to vacate by December 31 2024. Despite an extensive search for new premises to rent - the public had donated a fantastic £60K - nowhere suitable could be found. She's still got that money aside and now she has raised the target to £400,000, after realising that there are hardly any suitable kennels for rent and more options to buy.

Ali hates asking people for money - in fact she's always funded the sanctuary from her own pension. At her age (nearly 60), she can't get a mortgage.

The new tenants who were meant to move in in January experienced delays, granting Ali a short extension. But she says the situation is “extremely urgent” as “new tenants could move in any day.”

We know raising such a huge amount is a big ask but Ali says if nowhere suitable is found then the unthinkable will be the only option - to euthanise the dogs.

Some of Ali’s dogs come from an abusive or neglectful background and will only accept her. For example, Trigger (below) won’t let anyone get near him to put a lead on him. He’s so shut down it’s taken Ali six months to get him to take a treat off her. Previously, he had been living in hell.

For Ali, who has rescued hundreds of dogs over the last 10 years, dogs are her life and she just can't let them down. This is breaking her heart. She gets up at 4am every day to walk the dogs and doesn't stop until 9pm at night.

She tries to get the dogs, some of whom have been at the sanctuary for years, out as much as possible. She has an agility course, a small paddock, a courtyard and a therapy room with chaise lounges. She rotates the dogs around so that they’re not just stuck in staring at four walls.

Ali knows she will get abuse for even saying she may have to euthanise them. But she says the reality is there is nowhere else for them to go. Rescues up and down the country are full to bursting and not many are willing or able to take in the difficult dogs.

And, most rescues are not the right places for these dogs as most are not set up to offer an enriching environment for dogs long term. Ali feels spending almost 24/7 in kennels is no life for them.

The dogs living long-term at the sanctuary include Gus who was living in a garage for six years. There’s also Groober, a Romanian Mioritic Shepherd cross has guarding issues and won’t let anyone come near him except Ali.

Below are pics of a German Shepherd that Ali took in showing him emaciated before and how he looked after three months of her care.

She has been praised by fellow animal rescuers for taking in difficult dogs.

Niz Khan, who runs Animal Adoption International, says Ali has taken in dogs she’s been unable to rehome. “She has a heart of gold,” she said. “The dogs have such a good life with her. They really thrive under her care.

“She has one of my dogs, a corgi cross called Michael, who is so lovely, but he’s been traumatised, I believe from a noose-type catchpole in Romania, and he bit me. But with Ali he hasn’t bitten in four years and he’s a happy dog there.”

If premises funds are raised, Ali said upon her ill health or death she will give the premises to another rescue, so that it’s always used for animal welfare.

If premises cannot be found, the money raised will go towards animal rescue (i.e. any sancturies/rescues are suitable for taking in any of the dogs, donations will be made to them).

Thank you so much to all the sanctuary's supporters.