A Liverpool dog charity is being forced out of its home in Kensington after volunteers were followed and attacked.A Liverpool dog charity is being forced out of its home in Kensington after volunteers were followed and attacked.
Liverpool Dog Rescue is having to move to the Wirral from its Liverpool base in order to keep the volunteers and the animals safe.
The charity, which is run by Lisa Rhodes, has been targeted by people seeking to take dogs away from walkers.
Ms Rhodes told JMU Journalism: “We’re just in a situation now where we feel vulnerable, and we think its time for the safety of our volunteers and our dogs.
“One volunteer was pushed to the ground because he wouldn’t hand over a dog.”
After a number of incidents, Lisa, who is originally from Barston, Wirral, also alleges dog walkers have been followed, and one canine, Kilo, has become so nervous he has stopped eating.
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The 49-year-old said: “To actually be assaulted is new, that hasn’t happened before. She added that it has now come to the point where the charity “just needs to go”.
She said some of the issues are related to being within a housing estate, so the move to go “out in the country more” where there are “quiet, leafy lanes, in the woods” will make a much better home for the dogs.
Ms Rhodes said: “Overall through, the people of Kensington have been very supportive of us.”
Lisa has resorted to setting up a GoFundMe page, attempting to raise £10k to make headway on the first year of rent for the new home.
She originally set up the rescue centre in 2009 to run behavioral therapy and help re-home dogs that are otherwise going to be put down or have been used for illegal dogfighting.
Ms Rhodes added: “It’s been tough, but the rewarding thing is the dogs all get good forever homes.”
The new kennels will be ready in May next year, and the first year’s rent needs to be in place before the move is made.
The charity will be setting up boarding kennels as well in order to maintain themselves and be self-sufficient in raising funds.