Homeless dogs and cats at an animal rescue centre are facing eviction after the property was put on the market.

'For sale' signs were erected at Benvardin Animal Rescue Kennels (BARK) in recent days, sparking fears over the future of the sanctuary.

Volunteers at the centre, just outside Ballymoney, Co Antrim, now face a race against the clock to raise almost a quarter-of-a-million pounds to buy the site.

Otherwise they are concerned that any potential new owner could ask the charity, which re-homes around 800 dogs and cats every year, to leave.

An online campaign is under way to try and raise the funds needed for BARK to take control of the land.

"The worst case scenario is we could be out," Shaun McIntyre of Benvardin told the Belfast Telegraph.

"We have to do everything in our power to buy this place.

"We have no assets - every penny we have goes into keeping it open.

"And every penny we get will be through fundraising.

"This will be a huge effort."

The land is currently for sale for offers around £225,000.

Benvardin was opened in 2010 on the site of a former USPCA yard.

It is currently caring for around 40 animals, mostly dogs, and relies on donations from the public to pay for premises which cost £7,000 a month to run as well as significant vet bills.

It is staffed by eight volunteers who are so passionate about the welfare of animals they work for free.

Engineer Shaun is one of the volunteers and admitted he was currently living off his savings to help the cats and dogs in need.

The site was bought just last week by the USPCA, which had previously been locked into a long-term lease agreement with the previous owner. But the charity has to recoup the money and has listed the site for sale.

Benvardin has first refusal, but as it stands anybody can make a bid for the land.

Mr McIntyre praised the USPCA for allowing Benvardin to use the site until now.

And he said volunteers will do their utmost to ensure they can remain there.

"It was a bit of a shock to everybody to see the for sale signs go up," he said.

"It would be all that hard work down the drain if we lost it.

"We work with a lot of the councils, too, and without us taking all of the dogs and cats they would have nowhere.

"Everybody always praises the work done here and now we really need their help. "Even if it's just £1 - anything at all."

The appeal went online on Wednesday night and within hours £2,000 was pledged.

Background

Benvardin is staffed by eight volunteers who are so passionate about the welfare of animals that they work for free. It rehomes around 800 dogs and cats each year. It relies solely on donations from members of the public. It is urging them to do what they can to safeguard its future and help raise enough to buy the site on which its based. To donate to the charity's appeal visit: www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/keepbenvardinopen Alternatively, BARK can be contacted through Facebook.

Belfast Telegraph