A LADY who has dedicated her time over the last two decades to local charity, Barnsley Animal Rescue, has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award.
Kath Bailey, 66, is a founding member of the Barnsley Animal Rescue charity which began its days back in 1995 after a conversation around a pub table.
Since then, she has devoted herself to looking after the countless animals which the charity rescues.
Kath is now secretary of the charity, and said: “We have been going strong now for 21 years providing care and shelter for abandoned animals across Barnsley, and it’s not just for cats and dogs.
“I take care of all the wildlife animals, and the birds from parrots to cockatoos, I’ve got lots of them in my house right now.”
The rescue was one of the first in the area to stop putting healthy animals to sleep by taking dogs which had been taken into kennels by the council dog wardens after their seven days were up.
“That was a big step at the time, we at that the charity have always thought it was important to offer the highest quality of care to any animal that comes to us, whether that be dogs, cats, rabbits or more,” said Kath.
Since then the group has gone on to achieve charity status, has opened eight charity shops across the town and also has its own kennels at Wath. The shops are all vital in raising funds to look after animals while a forever home is found for them, as the only other cash to come in is via donations or fundraising efforts.
She and her team are always on hand to offer support and advice when it comes to new owners who would like to pick their new companion, and are committed to doing so through the course of the animals life.
“I can’t believe I’ve been nominated for an award,” Kath, who lives in Main Street, Wentworth, said.
“I don’t think I do anything more special than any other of the countless volunteers across Barnsley that deserve recognition, it’s just something I’m passionate about - but it’s nice to think I’ve been nominated for what I do.”
Read more in this weeks Barnsley Chronicle
