An animal rescue charity has been saved through donations after its status was threatened by a worsening financial situation.

Woodlands Animal Sanctuary, based in Ormskirk, west Lancashire, rescues vulnerable, abused and abandoned animals in the area and in Merseyside.

It was founded in 2005 and provides care for more than 100 rescued animals at a time but the charity said this was becoming more difficult as owners struggle to afford their pets.

The charity said it costs about £30,000 a month to run its facility and it receives £4,000 in regular donations each month, leaving a “staggering” £26,000 funding gap to fill.

Woodlands Animal Sanctuary said without “urgent financial support” it was at risk of  drastically reducing its operations including closing its doors to new admissions.

Vickie Blackburn, trustee at Woodlands Animal Sanctuary, said: “Those in most need are the ones that need rescuing most urgently.

“But this also means that their care takes us further into the cost of living impact as vet and drug bills have increased massively. 

“So the longer they are stray, the worse their condition, and the greater the cost of rehabilitating them.”

A fundraiser was launched because more animals than ever are being abandoned due to financial reasons, the charity said.

“Whether it’s donating, sponsoring an animal, doing a workplace fundraiser, or helping to get our message spread, we need every bit of help that we can get,” Blackburn said.

Woodlands Animal Sanctuary has now received enough donations to continue operating.

The charity has also opened a shop, The Woodland Hub, in Skelmersdale, west Lancashire, upon the recommendation of other animal rescue charities and members of the public.

The shop held a grand opening event for The Woodland Hub on 12 October and provides retail of pre-owned items including toys, clothes, books and furniture.

It also has an on site crafting space for local groups, animal welfare education services and social prescribing activities.

Nobody from the charity was available to confirm how much it had received in emergency donations before the publication of this article.