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

A DRAMATIC rescue at Newgale Beach is featured in the first episode of a new RNLI podcast marking the 25th anniversary of the charity’s lifeguard service.

The podcast, titled We Are Lifeguards, tells the story of how Pembrokeshire lifeguard Matty McLeod helped save the life of holidaymaker Joanna Hicks after she got into difficulty in the sea at Newgale in July 2023.

Joanna lost consciousness in the water and her life was in danger, but Matty was able to respond quickly thanks to his RNLI training.

The five-episode series has been launched by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to celebrate 25 years since the organisation rolled out its beach lifeguarding service. It features interviews with lifeguards and people they have rescued, while also exploring how the service has helped make beaches safer since 2001.

The first episode, WE ARE LIFEGUARDS: Saving lives on the beach with the RNLI, focuses on the Newgale rescue and also gives listeners an insight into the demanding training RNLI lifeguards undergo to prepare for the summer season.

RNLI lifeguards have been helping to keep beaches in Pembrokeshire safer since 2008.

Over the past 25 years, RNLI lifeguards across the UK have carried out more than 48 million preventative actions, attended more than 330,000 incidents and aided more than 440,000 people on beaches in the UK and Channel Islands.

In Pembrokeshire, RNLI beach lifeguards have saved 164 lives, the highest number recorded anywhere in Wales. Since the service began locally in 2008, lifeguards have also aided 15,513 people and carried out 1,799 rescues.

Peter Dawes, General Manager of Lifeguard Operations, said: “Since our lifeguarding service began in 2001, we’ve seen more people visit our beaches and enjoy the water.

“Our highly-trained, capable and skilled lifeguards spend their time talking to people, sharing our safety advice and educating visitors about the dangers, as well as carrying out rescues and providing first aid.

“The launch of this podcast not only marks our 25th anniversary, but also the return of lifeguards to beaches ahead of what will be another busy summer. If you are heading to the coast, be sure to choose an RNLI lifeguarded beach.”

The podcast is available through the RNLI website and major podcast platforms.

To find your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach, visit the RNLI website.

PAUL SARTORI Hospice at Home is calling on the community to help keep end-of-life care moving across Pembrokeshire as it launches an urgent appeal to fund a replacement for its essential Equipment Loan Van.

The appeal, which went live on Friday, April 10, 2026, will run until December 1, 2026, with the aim of raising £40,000 to replace the vital vehicle and safeguard the future of the service.

Every day, families across the county face some of the hardest moments of their lives while living with terminal illness or saying goodbye to a loved one. Paul Sartori Hospice at Home believes everyone deserves dignity, comfort and choice at the end of life, and its Equipment Loan Service plays a crucial role in making that possible.

At the heart of this service is the charity’s van, which delivers essential equipment free of charge directly to people’s homes. From hospital-style beds and wheelchairs to commodes and pressure-relieving mattresses, these items enable patients to remain in familiar surroundings, close to the people they love.

The service often responds on the same day, ensuring urgent needs are met quickly. By providing the right equipment at the right time, the team helps prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and supports faster hospital discharges, giving people the chance to spend precious time at home.

Beyond deliveries, the team also shows families how to use the equipment, supports safe transfers where needed, and fills critical gaps that statutory services are unable to meet. For many people, this service provides something truly invaluable: dignity, independence and comfort during end-of-life care.

However, the current Equipment Loan Van is now reaching the end of its working life, putting this lifeline service at risk. To continue operating safely and efficiently across Pembrokeshire, the charity urgently needs to replace it with a reliable, roadworthy vehicle.

Pat Coombs, Clinical Coordinator and Equipment Facilitator at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, said: “This van is essential to the care we provide. Every day, we see the difference it makes, helping people return home from hospital, supporting families to care for loved ones, and making sure patients can remain where they feel most comfortable.

“It is not just about delivering equipment; it is about delivering dignity and choice at the end of life. Without a reliable van, we simply cannot respond as quickly or effectively as people need us to.”

The charity is encouraging individuals, businesses and community groups to get involved and support the appeal. Donations of all sizes will help ensure that no one in Pembrokeshire has to face the end of life without the care and equipment they need.

To support the campaign and help fund a new Equipment Loan Van, visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/equipmentloanvan