Animal Aid founder to close down charity
Friday 16th April 2010, 1:00PM BST.
AN ANIMAL charity is closing its doors after 13 years in Guernsey.
Animal Aid at Forest Road will cease to operate after Sunday 2 May, founder Sue Vidamour (pictured) revealed to the Guernsey Press this week. And it will not take in any more animals after today.
In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, she cited long hours, health problems and a complete disillusionment with animal welfare policy in the island as the three main reasons behind the decision. She also said she has been hurt by ‘the constant, personal criticism’ she had received during her time at the helm.
Despite that the 61-year-old said the move, which will also see the family-owned Tudor Lodge and land at the Deer Farm – the charity’s base for more than a decade – put on the market, was the most difficult of her life.
In her frankest interview ever, the lifelong animal rights campaigner said she wanted to tell the public, who had shown the centre such support, exactly why Animal Aid must close. But she was also keen to set the record straight on her views, her public profile and the charity’s finances.
- Read our in-depth interview with Sue Vidamour in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.
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I never understood why they had to import waifs and strays from around the world when we have enough local animals to deal with.
And those feral chickens, let ‘em live free if they want!
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I will be sorry to see Animal Aid close, if the animal shelter had worked with them things may have been able to carry on, what is going to happen to all the animals now.Plus it is about time something was done to all the cruelty that goes on, an animal cannot ask for help. I agree with Chris let the chickens, rabbits etc be free and stop culling healthy animals.
So come on Guernsey Deputies you like making all the rules so push this one through.
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Chris you are bang out of order and obviously not a animal lover how dare you slate someone who has given her life and money to animals. Pol like you are so ignorant
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Well done Sue and all at Animal Aid for all your hard work and effort over the past years.
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I wonder if the re-homing critea will be so strict now that all these animals need to go. So many people have been turned down for silly reasons.
I had to set my ferret’s cage up in someone elses house to be able to adopt because I live on a housing esate. Despite my location my ferret’s live the life of luxury as many islanders have seen.
Yes, I’m the crazy one that walks them through town and along Cobo beach :oD
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Although I think her heart may have been in the right place, I think this lady went about things in completely the wrong way, which is why the charity never got my support.
I agree with Chris, why bring in animals needing rehoming when there are already enough here who need homes?
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I wonder how much of the money that was given to the charity went to pay for the mortgage on the property, and will it all be pocketed from the sale? Something to think on perhaps?
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1. Chickens have to be culled if they do not have a owner because they will breed like rats .they also need to be fed et et they can also suffer if not controlled et et. I am sure if you read up you will change ur minds.
2.animals were rehomed here from Uk et ie dogs as there were not that many rescue dogs here and they were got at the publics request.
I think that there are a lot of ignorant pol out there that dose not realy know jack about anything
Any ignorant ppl that would like to carry on this debate then I will do it face to face. Oh and I am a animal aid worker
name your place and time
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I think it’s a real shame Sue is closing Animal Aid.
I adopted a dog from there 6 years ago, he was in a litter of 8 pups brought over from Sheffield, my vet told me that the litter would have been destroyed had they not been brought here, as there are thousands upon thousands of mixed breed unwanted puppies in the UK.
I know only a very small fraction of these dogs were being brought here but what will happen to them now?
I would like to thank Sue for bringing my dog over here, he has made my family very happy.
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Ok GAA closes GSPCA are there but whoes to say a new charity cant be formed?? Funds raised to buy the property, a committee formed and Up to date and Local objectives and protocols set up.????
Who has the experience to do that???? I know I would be interested anyone else??????????????????
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I want to thank Sue and Animal Aidfor all they have done for the animals over the years. Love them or loath them – they have done a great job where others couldnt be bothered. I myself got a dog from them and he has been my faithful companion for more than 10 years, he came from the UK where rescue dogs are put down after a certain time if new owners havent been found. Ted is a joy to own and is much loved by me and everyone who meets him. When I moved to Norway some 7 years ago, Sue picked him up in Guernsey and delivered him to me at Gatwick Airport so he could fly to Norway with me, this shows how much she cares for “her” animals even some 3 years after she had found them new homes.
Guernsey and it’s animals will be poorer for loosing Animal Aid.
Randi Winter
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