AN INDEPENDENT animal rescue service is facing closure after being told the service is not suitable for a funding grant.

Maggie Clowes, 77, who runs Maggie’s Pet Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Pitsea applied for funding from animal charity Support Adoption for Pets but was told she did not meet the criteria.

Maggie said: “I had to give up my shop in Pitsea and I am not having to operate from my own bungalow in Pitsea.

“I am currently just running the service with only my state pension and I am just not able to make ends meet.

“I have been saving animals since I was a teenager and there is a high demand in the areas and I have people come to my door almost every day asking for my help.

“I have become quite well known in the area and people know that I will never turn away animals that need my help.”

She added that the problem is that as the years have gone on bills, and looking after animals has become so expensive.

She said: “I have worked with Support Adoption for Pets in the past and I have fundraised for the charity, I received an email from the charity with information about how to apply for funding but when I called the charity to discuss it I was told I was not suitable for funding.

“There was no explanation and I pleaded with the woman on the phone and told her how I would have to stop my rescue work but it did no good.

“Some of the animal cruelty that I have seen is just horrendous and we need services like the rescue service I run to help protect animals.

“I just do not know what I am going to do to keep the service up and running.”

Laura Messenger, Grant Funding Coordinator at Support Adoption For Pets, said: “Maggie’s Pet Rescue and Rehoming Service made an application for a grant from Support Adoption For Pets last year, which unfortunately did not meet the criteria set by our trustees.

"As with any application involving the use of public donations, we as a charity need to ensure the organisation meets specific criteria.

“We have advised Maggie how to work towards a successful grant application in the future, something we would greatly welcome.

“Support Adoption For Pets has also assisted Maggie’s Pet Rescue and Rehoming Service with funds in excess of £4,000 through its fundraising events at the Pets at Home store in Pitsea.

"The charity is due to receive a further donation from Support Adoption For Pets at the end of the current summer fundraising drive.”