A dog sanctuary owner from Powys says she needs a “Christmas miracle” to save her rescue – or she faces having to euthanise her animals if it closes.

Chadkirk Dog Sanctuary, based near Stockport, has over 30 dogs in its care and has just over three weeks to find new premises after being served notice to leave.

Founder Ali Clark, who lives in northern Powys, takes in dogs with severe behavioural problems, 17 of them are classed as “unrehomeable” and are therefore most at risk.

Some of Ali’s dogs come from an abusive or neglectful background. “People have come forward and said we’ll foster them, we’ll adopt them,” she said. “But most of the dogs will only accept me.

“For example, what am I supposed to my collie Trigger, who won’t let anyone get near him to put a lead on him. He’s so shut down it’s taken me six months to get him to take a treat off me. Previously, he had been living in hell.

(Image: Ali Clark)

“I’m desperate to find somewhere suitable. Dogs are my life. I just can’t let them down. I need a Christmas miracle.”

Ali, 59, who has been in animal rescue for 10 years and saved hundreds of dogs, was given three months’ notice to find new premises but finding the right place is proving difficult.

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She is calling on landowners with existing kennels, or those with suitable stables where kennels could be built, preferably in Wales or along the England–Wales border, to get in touch.

A GoFundMe has also been launched to fund new premises and kennel equipment.

Ali said it would break her heart to have them put to sleep.

(Image: Ali Clark)

“I know people will be outraged by me saying that, but that’s the reality,” she said. “There isn’t another sanctuary I would trust to give the dogs the life I give them.

“Most of them won’t let you in to look around. So many just keep them locked up in a kennel almost 24/7. That’s not a life, they are better off being euthanised.

“Here I try get the dogs out as much as I can. I have an agility course, a small paddock, a courtyard and a therapy room with chaise lounges. I rotate them round so that they’re not just stuck in staring at four walls.”

The dogs living long-term at the sanctuary include Gus who was living in a garage for six years. There’s also Groober, a Romanian Mioritic Shepherd cross has guarding issues and won’t let anyone come near him except Ali.

Groober is one of the dogs Ali has rescuedGroober is one of the dogs Ali has rescued (Image: Ali Clark)

“These dogs can’t go to anyone else, I know their quirks,” she said.

Ali funds the sanctuary through her pension and boarding rescue dogs which she offers at a heavily discounted rate and has been praised by fellow animal rescuers for taking in difficult dogs.

Niz Khan, 60, who runs Animal Adoption International, says Ali has taken in dogs she’s been unable to rehome.

“She has a heart of gold,” said Mr Khan. “The dogs have such a good life with her. They really thrive under her care.

“She gets up at 4am and walks them and she doesn’t stop until around 9pm.

“She has one of my dogs, a corgi cross called Michael, who is so lovely, but he’s been traumatised, I believe from a noose-type catchpole in Romania, and he bit me. But with Ali he hasn’t bitten in four years and he’s a happy dog there.”

Anyone who can help can contact Ali on nutbourne.bambam@gmail.com.

Visit the Gofundme page by clicking here.