Derry animal shelter charity Pet FBI closing its kennels

Derry charity Pet FBI Rescue has announced it will not renew its lease to rent kennels with Derry City and Strabane District Council.

The charity said it hopes the kennels will continue to be used to house abandoned animals but its volunteers 'no longer have the strength to do so’ themselves.

In a post on Facebook the group said it was not an easy decision to take.

“It’s with great pain and immense sadness we have made the decision to not renew our lease for rent of the kennels with Derry City and Strabane District Council,” they said.

“This voluntary service has been a lifeline for so many pets and the kennels must continue to house strays and abandonment cases but we no longer have the strength to do so ourselves.

“Stress levels are at an all time high and the pressure is relentless. Running costs are immense, criticism is rampant and nerves are shattered.

“We are a small team who have been doing our best and we are eternally grateful for the support we’ve had for 10 years to allow us to help make a difference in animals' lives but we’re human, we’re weary, tensions are too high and we can’t take any more.”

The charity added that rumours on social media about the charity were among the most difficult challenges they faced.

“We’ve heard all sorts of everything in comments on Facebook including our accounts being brought into question which is probably the hardest pill to swallow. The Charities Commission has our full accounts to date.

“That coupled with the already extreme day to day stress we are truly done struggling, we cannot cope mentally with Pet Fbi any further and this has become strikingly obvious.”

Pet FBI thanked everyone who helped the charity over the years and urged the public to support local rescues.

“Only they really know how much it takes and the gargantuan effort put in by their dedicated volunteers.

“We have families and the same commitments and stresses as everyone else, we’re not made of stone. We’re depressed, broken, our emotions are in pieces and we have to step back from this now for our own sanity. We may regroup in the future as a lost and found page only but we will no longer be operating as a rehoming shelter. “

Pet FBI will be relying on the help of other rescues to find homes for the remaining dogs.

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed that it has not received formal notification directly from Pet FBI regarding their lease agreement for dog kennelling and related services at the Council Dog Shelter.

“The Council will liaise with Pet FBI prior to considering options for the service beyond the end of the contract. A subsequent report will be brought to the Councils Health and Community Committee for consideration by elected members,” they said.

The Council spokesperson explained that Council’s dog wardens accept stray dogs while unwanted dogs are dealt with by Pet FBI and other dog rehoming charities. The Council will continue to work with local charities to help find unwanted dogs a new home.

Tributes to the work the charity has done poured in following the announcement.

One Facebook user wrote:

"This is heartbreaking. All the good work you guys have done. These services are needed badly. There should be so much more support for rescues. It's such a burden to carry, I can't even imagine. Huge loss to the city but as the saying goes you can't pour from an empty cup. Look after yourselves and thank you for the brilliant service provided."

Another wrote:

"Thank you for everything you have done and for giving us our much loved Loki. Your unwavering kindness and care made the world a better place for so many animals and humans and will be greatly missed. Thank you."