An animal lover facing losing her sanctuary and euthanising her dogs has issued an urgent plea for someone to come forward with suitable premises.

Ali Clark, founder of Chadkirk Dog Sanctuary, has 30 dogs in her care – many of whom have suffered trauma and are considered “unrehomable”.

Kind-hearted people donated to the cause when she received notice to vacate the rescue’s current premises last year, and a GoFundMe appeal raised an impressive £62,000.

But despite an exhaustive search, Ali has been unable to find a place to rent.

She is appealing to landowners with existing kennels, or those with stables equipped with electricity and water where kennels could be built, to contact her.

Ali explained that the site must be rural, with no immediate neighbours, and include on-site accommodation. She prefers a location in Wales or along the England–Wales border, but will consider anywhere in the UK.

Initially, Ali was required to vacate the Stockport site by December. After months of fruitless searching, she faced the heartbreaking reality that euthanasia was the only option.

However, the new tenants experienced delays, granting Ali a short extension.

But despite her renewed, frantic search for premises, she now feels “back to square one.”

The 59-year-old said: “I’m incredibly grateful for all the donations and the support. The money is still there. But finding suitable premises has been an absolute nightmare. It’s extremely urgent; the new tenants could move in any day.

“There are seven dogs that can’t go anywhere due to severe behavioural issues. They have a good life with me, and I can’t bear the thought of them being confined to kennels 24/7. That’s a prison, not a life.

“The rest could go to other rescues, but every rescue up and down the country are full to bursting and finding rescues willing to take on difficult dogs in incredibly hard.

“It would destroy me to have to put them to sleep but right now I see no other way forward. I’ve also had to turn down so many at risk dogs due to the uncertainty of finding a place.”

Ali, who has been in animal rescue for 10 years and saved hundreds of dogs, says she has taken in “the most difficult dogs that no one else will take on.”

She begins her day at 4am, walking the dogs, and continues until around 9pm.

Some of Ali’s dogs come from abusive or neglectful backgrounds and only accept her. This includes Gus, who lived in a garage for six years. There’s also Groober, a Romanian Mioritic Shepherd cross with severe guarding issues, who allows only Ali to approach him.

“I’ve got Trigger, a collie, who won’t allow anyone to put a lead on him,” she said.

“He’s so withdrawn that it took me six months to get him to take a treat from me. Previously, he had lived in terrible conditions, absolute hell.”

Ali strives to provide an enriched life for the dogs, despite their challenges.

“I hate the idea of them staring at four walls all the time,” she said. “Here, I get the dogs outside as much as possible. I have an agility course, a small paddock, a courtyard, and a therapy room with chaise lounges. I rotate them through these areas. And some, despite being aggressive with humans, play well with the other dogs.”

Ali, who is based in Powys, but stays in Stockport to care for the dogs, is praying for a last-minute miracle.

“People have sent me links to properties for sale, but the funds raised don’t allow for that, and I can’t get a mortgage at my age,” she said.

“I have to consider planning permission. Land without electricity or water is unsuitable, as the cost of installing those services is beyond my means.

“On-site accommodation is essential because I need to be there constantly for the dogs’ security. Also, renting premises without accommodation would make it nearly impossible to find a landlord willing to rent me a nearby house with my pack of dogs, as many rentals are pet-free.”

Ali funds the sanctuary through her pension and by boarding rescue dogs at a significantly reduced rate.

“Some places I found were too expensive, and I have to consider how to fund the sanctuary after the GoFundMe money is gone,” she said.

Anyone who can help can contact Ali at: [email protected].