Exotic pet refuge given stay of execution

A relieved exotic pet refuge owner has thanked people who helped to save the sanctuary after receiving a total of £7,000 in donations.

There were fears before Christmas that the Deeping St James Exotic Pet Refuge on Station Road, which is run by dedicated animal lover Pam Mansfield, could be forced to close and leave over 200 animals potentially homeless because of the a lack of money coming in from the open days that the charity relies on.

The sanctuary has now started a Just Giving page where they are aiming to raise £8,000.

“We have managed to get £2,000 from Just Giving and a couple gave us £5,000,” said a delighted Pam, who founded the refuge in 1984 alongside her late husband Mel.

“That money has done us a lot of good but we still need a bit more.

“We’ve got get through until April 21 when we have our first open day so we can raise some more money.

“It’s £2,500 in our electric bills for January and we also used £600-worth of oil.

“It’s so expensive heating.

“We have got a big monkey enclosure and a reptile house that use a lot of electricity. “

Pam and her late husband Mel, who died 14 years ago, 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.

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

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

A grateful Pam also thanked the local community for their support:

“There’s been lots of support from local people - they have brought us food and everything,” she said.

“A lot of people who used to help out at the refuge in the past have also donated.

“We are literally trying anything - I think we’ve got £5 on Amazon Smile but it all helps.

“I’d like to thank everybody for their support.

“We’ve got enough for January and February but we could do with a bit more for March.

“I would say we need another £6,000 - £7,000 but it’s coming in gradually.

“Our open days usually make between £6,000 - £7,000 but last year we only made £1,000 from them because of the weather where it was either too hot or it rained.

“We are not a zoo so we are limited to opening up to the public for six days a year.”

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