An exotic pet refuge run by a devoted and caring animal lover could be forced to close by the end of the year unless thousands of pounds are raised.

The Exotic Pet Refuge in Deeping St James, founded by Pam Mansfield and one of only a few in the country, hosted an open day earlier this month and people poured in to look at the likes of snakes, alligators and lemurs.

That open day raised about £2,700 but another £7,000 to £8,000 is needed to see the refuge through the winter so it can keep animals warm and well-fed.

“We are absolutely desperate for money,” said Pam (68),who founded the refuge in Station Road alongside her late husband Mel in 1984.

Pam said: “We are not going to last the winter if we don’t get some more money.

“It’s a bit dire at the moment.

“We need to raise about another £7,000 that keeps us going so we are about £5,000 down really this year.

“The hope is that we get more money in.

“We don’t want to re-home the animals.

“I love animals.”

Mel, who died 14 years ago, and Pam started rescuing animals in 1975 when they took in a bird and the charitable couple turned it into their life in 1984 and moved onto four acres of land that has space for over 300 animals.

Pam is supported by a team of seven dedicated volunteers who give up their time freely to ensure the exotic pets are looked after.

Volunteer Mikki Hall is crowdfunding on JustGiving in a bid to raise £8,000 to keep the refuge open.

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Volunteers Mikki Hall, who started a crowdfunding appeal, and Julie Marsh.

You can donate by visiting JustGiving and typing ‘Mikki Hall’ into the search box or by clicking here.

On her appeal page, Mikki writes: “The Exotic Pet Refuge is home to over 200 birds, mammals and reptiles and is struggling to make it thorough the winter months.

“We are only allowed to open to the public six times a year and although we go out each week to fundraise ourselves this year has been particularly hard for us.

“We have had more animals needing our care and less attendance to our open days due to the weather. With electricity bills on the increase and the winter forecast to be a long and cold one we are going to struggle to keep all the animals warm and well fed.”

The refuge provides a permanent home to animals that are unwanted for whatever reason.

Pam said the biggest cost is their electricity bill.

“It costs £2,000 a month because there are exotic animals so they need the heat.

“Our electric bill is crippling us at the moment.”

You can also help out the Exotic Pet Refuge by calling 07706 999 838 or 01778 345 923.