ABANDONED dogs need a new champion to lead fundraising for the county charity that cares for them.
A big-hearted volunteer fundraiser is urgently wanted by the Teckels Animal Sanctuary in Whitminster.
The shelter for homeless cats and dogs partly pays its way by also acting as a boarding kennels.
But trustee June Harbott said Teckels costs £20,000 a month to run and the time had now come to place its cash collecting on a more professional basis.
"We need to find someone with a proven track record if possible to fund raise, to set up a Friends of Teckels Charity at the corporate level," Mrs Harbott said.
"We hope to find somebody to actually take things up to a higher level."
Teckels has traditionally run its own dog show and Christmas fair to raise the money it badly needs for vets' bills, pets' food and similar vital expenses.
But although the trustees were ably qualified with a solicitor, accountants and even a health and safety expert on the board, Mrs Harbott said they lacked a fundraiser.
"We don't turn away animals like some charities. We take them whatever their age and whatever their problems," said Mrs Harbott.
Teckels, which has about a dozen strays or abandoned animals at any one time, also faces a £70,000 appeal to pay for a new kennel block.
"We need someone with a really big heart," Mrs Harbott said.
"Unfortunately more people are abandoning their animals. Hardship is the biggest thing since the recession. People can't keep up their mortgage, move to a flat, and the landlord won't allow pets," she said.
If you could be that special, animal loving fundraiser Teckels are seeking Mrs Harbott can be contacted on 01452 740 109.