Trio of women commit to 13K challenge to raise money for 'Sanctuary dogs'

Saturday 14 April 2018

Three women have decided to take part in the Durrell 13k challenge on 13 May to help raise £1,000 for Jersey Rescue Dogs which is currently looking after 10 permanent residents they cannot rehome.

Ana and Kelly have respectively fostered dogs for JRD and fundraised while Jen joined on the challenge in the hope to meet Henry Cavill.

The trio has already raised £540 of their £1,000 target for Jersey Rescue Dogs. For the past 10 years, the charity who rescue dogs from the UK and Ireland, has also been running a sanctuary for dogs who cannot be rehomed. There are currently 10 permanent residents at the Jersey Headquarters, which means that Alison Le Feuvre, the president, has her hands full.

She told Express: "All of the dogs we bring to Jersey come with the intention to be rehomed. But sometimes things do not work out,  we don't know until they get here because of issues we might not have noticed. We have a mix of dogs who have health or behavioural issues and are not 'homable.' For example, we have one at the moment who is very nervous, he gets very travel sick and does not like to walk. There are also so many out there who get overlooked.

"We appreciate it is not easy to have a nervous dog or to deal with certain needs. The whole house is geared around having them and if they have specific issues we can deal with those. Sometimes we realise that moving the dogs wouldn't be in their best interest so we look after them."

Looking after the 'Sanctuary’ dogs costs about £400 a month. This only includes the "bare minimum" as Alison says, food, titre tests (for the detection of antibodies), vaccinations and parasite control. Additional veterinary costs from illness or injury as well as dental treatments and appropriate bedding for the residents come in addition.  

To help out Alison in her efforts, Ana, who as fostered over 30 dogs in the last three years, and Kelly, a keen fundraiser for charities, have decided to tackle the Durrell 13K challenge. Writing on their crowdfunding page, they explained: "Jen didn't need much persuasion as the love of her life will be running that day, lucky for Henry Cavill she's no runner so HC is pretty much safe from being smothered in smooches."

While 13K would be daunting for anyone, it will even more of a feat for Ana. Last September, doctors found a tumour attached to her spinal nerve diagnosed, which causes chronic pain and other symptoms. As a result, Ana sadly had to give up "her passion and successful business" of dog walking. She said: "I have been stuck at home, getting frustrating. My brain says I can do so much but my body doesn't follow. I have fostered dogs for Alison and the Company of Dogs and I am always trying to help out. I thought this was just another way to help, you have to be productive!"

Pictured: Ana with Ben, one of her fosters who sadly passed away, "Alison gave him a chance even though he was high  He had a few health issues when he arrived but with public support and Alison we gave him some hope and a few months of home comforts otherwise he would of died in the kennels."

While the ladies confess they are not the best runners, except for Kelly who recently completed the 10k run for the Stroke Association, they are both determined to see the challenge through. Kelly has recently started training and Ana aims to start next week. She explained: "I realised a few days ago I didn't have trainers. For the past year and a half all I have been wearing was wellies and boots to walk the dogs. I put them on for about 10 mins this week for a walk and I was really sore afterwards! My walking is less frantic, I have to go slower, I am not as fit as I was.

"Next week I plan to do 5k and then I will start jogging. I hope the gate will still be open when I finish the 13K, it might take a couple of days."

On the day of the challenge, the trio will be able to count on Alison's support. She said: "They have made the decision on their own. Ana and Kelly have been volunteers with us but I have never met Jen so I was touched to know she was also involved. Ana has a benign tumour, the challenge is enough of a feat as it is but I think it is very admirable of there to do it."