The founder of a Sunshine Coast animal rescue charity that was in danger of closing says she cannot bring herself to refuse to help animals in need.
Soquilichi Rescue Ranch put out a desperate call this month for help to clear outstanding veterinary bills of $25,000.
Miranda Wells wrote on social media on Monday that the rescue could not continue without funds that night.
“I can’t struggle along every week not knowing where the funds are going to come from,” she wrote.
Ms Wells told Sunshine Coast News that she could not bring herself to refuse to help animals and sometimes they needed veterinary treatment.
“It’s hard because we take from the rural pounds. We get the pound list every week. If we refuse, they die,” she said.
“It’s not really an option, it never has been, when we get those lists and you realise if you don’t take them they’ll die.
“When I look at those faces, I’m not going to say no.”
Ms Wells said routine procedures were not cheap.
“With desexing a great dane cross, we were pushing $500 to desex. Adult animals are hard to rehome. Our adult adoption fee is $49, so we’re left with having to find $440,” she said.
She said there could also be unexpected vet bills.
“We had two cats surrendered by the public. It’s pretty hard when they turn up. They had tick paralysis,” she said.
“They needed emergency care, intensive care. That’s $10,000.”
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Ms Wells said Soquilichi’s local vet never chased the charity for payment but the organisation wanted to pay its bills.
The charity also uses other vets for animals it has in foster care throughout south-east Queensland.
Ms Wells said donations received plus other funds totalling a little over $13,000 would go towards the $25,000 in bills, which threatened to close the rescue organisation.
She said the annual cost of Soquilichi’s rescue work was about $500,000 and the rescue, which has been running for about 20 years, had been pushed to the brink three times before.
Money came from donations and an online auction, but she hoped a recently opened op shop in Condies Arcade, Gympie, would prove successful.
A previous Soquilichi op shop at Kulangoor was destroyed by fire.
Ms Wells said Soquilichi had about 300 animals in foster care and another 30 “permanents” that were not suitable for rehoming, generally because of their physical or medical needs.
Most of the animals were cats and dogs, although the charity also rescues and rehomes horses, birds and rodents.
Ms Wells said other people had offered to fundraise but never stayed so she now handled it herself, although she welcomed help.
