Ayr Advertiser | News | Pets Corner appeal warning

Friday, 29th August, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 18th June, 2008 14:00

Pets Corner appeal warning

By Roisin McGroarty

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A DESPERATE plea has been made for the people of South Ayrshire to ensure Pets Corner is saved as the six month extension runs out.

The popular animal attraction has been pulling in families for generations but earlier this year was struck from the council’s funding budget.

After an outcry by residents from all over the area the council agreed to give the Belleisle Park axe a six month extension until October 1, but now time is running out.

Friends of Pets Corner member Catherine Kyle said: “We have to get some fundraising plans. Everybody thinks it is saved. We went to Ayr Grammar school’s fayre on Friday night and I came away quite down. Everyone was under the impression the facility has been saved.

“Unless the capital is there to do the improvement work it will shut.

“I also came away from the fayre with a hoarse voice as you have to go up to people. When they see a fundraising stall for Pets Corner they are just unsure why it’s even there because they think it’s saved. You actually have to go up and talk to them.

The group are hoping they will be given charitable status in the coming weeks which would allow them to receive more funds from other areas.

M&M Theatre Productions recently offered their support and on Friday at 7pm they’ll be hosting Alladin and Beauty and the Beast at the Gaiety.

Catherine added: “There is still plenty of tickets available, it will be a good night. We have been very restricted on when we could have it as the group are just leaving to do a tour in Dubai so everything was quickly arranged and we have managed to secure the Gaiety with a little bit of help from the council.

“My own two kids are 12 and eight and Pets Corner is somewhere you can take them where there is no money involved and it is a relatively uncomplicated day out.

“There are new issues coming up all the time and it’s has got pushed to the backs of people’s mind. We have to get it back into the public arena again.”

“We want go give the message back to parents that if we don’t get help it won’t be there any more.

For a total refurbishment the group need £200,000 which would create an educational centre for youngsters, toilets and a petting area. However they know it will be almost impossible to raise the funds and will be working on a staged refurbishment with updates happening one by one - rather than together.

And first on the list is the ducks pond.

Catherine continued: “We will start with the ducks pond and then move on to the habitation. Currently the rabbits are getting wet when it rains so we really have to sort than out.

“They will be a lot of fundraising things going on and even though we will be waving tins in people’s faces on Ayr’s streets they’ll be a host of fun events for people to enjoy themselves. We want to provide something in return for their support.”

The group are also seeking more committee members to help them out.

10 members are needed to ensure Friends of Pets Corner carries on to save the centre and currently there is just four.

Catherine Kyle said: “We’re looking for four committee members, most importantly is a solicitor and an accountant as we should soon receive charitable status and we need them to help us with that.”

- Anyone interested or wanting more information on the Pets Corner appeal should visit www.petscornerayr.co.uk.

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