Pembrokeshire sanctuary says it is at breaking point and fears devastating consequences if urgent public appeal fails

GREENACRES RESCUE has warned it may be forced to shut its doors to new animals unless it can raise more than £24,000 in just 20 days to clear a huge vet bill.

The Pembrokeshire-based rescue says it is facing its toughest month yet, with a March bill of £24,113.92 and a growing number of sick, injured and abandoned animals needing urgent treatment.

In a stark public appeal, Mikey Lawlor said the sanctuary is at breaking point and may soon be left with no choice but to turn away dogs and other animals in desperate need.

He said: “I am the one that will have to say no to dogs sat on death row.”

Greenacres said it will continue to honour commitments already made to animals in its care, but warned that failing to clear the bill could force it to stop taking in new emergency cases.

The charity said that could have devastating consequences, with some animals potentially dying before they ever get the chance of rescue, while others face far longer waits for urgent help.

So far this year, the rescue says it has already raised and paid off £43,404, but described the latest demand as its most severe financial crisis yet.

Among the major cases driving the cost are Ruby, who needs a leg amputation, Clio and Spot, who both require major dental work, Dixie, who underwent specialist orthopaedic surgery to save her leg, Freddie, who needed an eye removed, Ozzie the Chihuahua, who is being treated for hydrocephalus, and Biscuit, a cat needing leg amputation.

The rescue said the strain has been fuelled by the continuing fallout from excessive breeding during the Covid lockdown period, rising abandonment, and the increasing number of animals arriving with serious medical needs.

Greenacres also stressed that routine care such as neutering, vaccinations, microchipping and parasite treatment remains essential and unavoidable.

In the appeal, Lawlor thanked supporters and praised the rescue’s vets, saying the bill reflects the sheer volume of urgent cases rather than excessive charging.

The charity is now urging the public to donate or share its appeal, warning that clearing the March bill is vital if it is to remain able to respond to the next emergency call.

Ways to donate to Greenacres Rescue

PayPal: paypal.com/gb/fundraiser/charity/129520

Website: https://donorbox.org/pennies-for-lives

Or pay directly towards our vet bill

Fenton Vets, Haverfordwest – 01437 762806 (option 2)

Or via bank transfer

Greenacres Rescue: HSBC – A/C 01580299 – Sort code 40-23-21

Cheque: Greenacres Rescue, Ebbs Acres Farm, Talbenny, Haverfordwest, SA62 3XA

First Minister says health, hospitals and GP access are among the biggest issues being raised by voters in West Wales

FIRST MINISTER Eluned Morgan has launched a new series of weekly Facebook and Instagram Live Q&A sessions, taking questions directly from the public ahead of the Senedd election on May 7.

The first session focused on health and saw the Welsh Labour candidate for Ceredigion Penfro answer questions from people across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion on issues they say matter most in their communities.

The full broadcast is now available to watch on Eluned Morgan’s Facebook page.

Speaking after the session, Baroness Morgan said: “People are telling me they want straight answers – not slogans, not spin. So that’s exactly what I’m doing.

“These weekly Q&As are about opening up the conversation, taking questions head-on and being honest about both the challenges and what we’re doing to fix them.

“Health is one of the biggest concerns I’m hearing across West Wales, so it was right to start there.”

During the live session, Eluned addressed concerns about Withybush Hospital, saying there are no plans to close the hospital and highlighting investment in equipment, safety and local services. She also said new and expanded services are being developed in the area.

She set out how NHS responsibilities are divided in Wales, saying the Welsh Government determines overall funding and priorities, while local health boards are responsible for day-to-day delivery.

On performance, the First Minister pointed to waiting lists falling for eight months in a row, the delivery of millions of appointments each year across the Hywel Dda area, and ongoing investment in diagnostics, cancer care and mental health support.

The Q&A also covered emergency surgery, stroke services, GP access, mental health provision and transport to healthcare in rural communities.

Eluned said Welsh Labour’s longer-term ambition included a new hospital for West Wales and a stronger shift towards delivering more care closer to home, stressing that any future development would strengthen existing services at Withybush rather than replace them.

She also highlighted the wider recruitment pressures affecting health services across the UK and addressed local concerns about access to GP appointments, including pressures at Argyle Street Surgery.

She added: “I know people are worried. I’ve heard it on the doorstep, in communities and online.

“But we need to deal in facts, not fear. Our NHS is working incredibly hard and we are investing in it, reforming it, and planning for the future.

“And I’ll keep showing up, answering questions, and listening every week.”

Further weekly Q&A sessions will cover a range of topics, giving voters across the region the chance to raise concerns and hear directly from her ahead of polling day.

UK backs freedom of navigation but will not join any US-led move to shut down the world’s most sensitive oil shipping route

BRITAIN will not take part in Donald Trump’s threatened blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, despite the US president’s claim that other countries would join the operation.

The move came after Trump announced that American forces would begin stopping vessels attempting to enter or leave the narrow but strategically vital waterway, following the collapse of peace talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy choke points, has already been heavily disrupted in recent days after Iran tightened its grip on the passage in retaliation for the US-Israel war. The confrontation has sent oil and gas prices sharply higher and raised fears of a wider economic shock.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US military would begin “blockading any and all ships” trying to use the strait. He also warned that any vessel found to have paid a toll to Iran for passage would be targeted.

He wrote that the US Navy would “seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran”, adding that no ship making such payments would have safe passage.

Trump also claimed that “other countries will be involved with this blockade”, but it is understood the UK will not be among them.

A UK Government spokesperson said Britain continued to support freedom of navigation and wanted to see the strait reopened without further escalation.

The spokesperson said: “We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home.

“The Strait of Hormuz must not be subject to tolling.

“We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously called for “as many partners as possible” to be involved in securing a workable international response, while stressing the need to protect shipping rather than deepen the conflict.

Britain is expected to host a third round of international discussions on the crisis this week, following a virtual summit of more than 40 countries chaired by the Foreign Secretary, as well as a meeting of allied military figures.

Sir Keir has also said British mine-hunting systems are already deployed in the region.

Earlier on Sunday, the Prime Minister urged Washington and Tehran to find a diplomatic path forward after 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad failed to produce an agreement, leaving the already fragile two-week ceasefire hanging by a thread.

In a Downing Street readout of Sir Keir’s call with the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said, a spokeswoman said the two leaders agreed it was vital for the ceasefire to continue and for all sides to avoid further escalation.

Meanwhile, Trump stepped up his criticism of both Nato and Britain, accusing allies of failing to support offensive action against Iran and branding the military alliance “shameful”.

The US president also renewed his personal attacks on Sir Keir, once again likening him to Neville Chamberlain, the former prime minister associated with the policy of appeasement in the years before the Second World War.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said Sir Keir’s position amounted to a weak response, mocking the Prime Minister’s stance that support should come after the fighting ends.

Trump also said the Pakistan talks, involving US vice-president JD Vance, had gone well on most issues, but claimed the central dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions remained unresolved.