A WELL-KNOWN animal rescue centre in Worcestershire has announced with a "heavy heart" its closure.

Worcestershire Rabbit Rescue and Friends has announced it will be closing because of financial struggles. 

The rescue centre - based in Tewkesbury on the Worcestershire and Gloucestershire border -specialises in rehoming rabbits and rodents and has been running for ten years.

They are called to Worcester and the surrounding areas to collect unwanted pets and strays. 

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Founder Jai Barnes said: "It is with an extremely heavy heart that I bring the sad news of the closure of Worcestershire Rabbit Rescue and Friends this year.

"As we approach the ten-year anniversary of the rescue, the emotional and physical toll of running a rescue is very apparent.

Evesham Journal: The shelter looks after various small animals The shelter looks after various small animals (Image: Worcestershire Rabbit Rescue and Friends)

"The stress of constantly struggling financially, the emotional effects of seeing so much neglect, the minority of unpleasant people and the tiring battle of always having more coming in than those going out to homes has worn me out.

"I’m proud of myself for the years of total dedication to these beautiful creatures.

"The wonderful lives we’ve saved and even those that at least spent their last days knowing love.

"I’m proud I fort through battles I thought would break me but most of all I’m so so grateful for the support of so many."

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Miss Barnes said she set up the organisation almost by accident after she was looking for rabbits to keep her existing pet company. 

She added: "On my quest for a single female as a companion to my own lonely male, I found myself returning home with 11. 

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"Yes 11 unwanted ex-breeding does and from this, the rescue was born."

Currently, there are eight rabbits and one pig in the Worcestershire Rabbit Rescue and Friends care which need to be adopted. 

Greatfield Small Animal Rescue will be helping the centre continue caring for these animals until they are adopted.

Then the centre will finally close its doors for good.

Miss Barnes said she is always contactable for support and advice for those that have adopted from her and she will always be able to take in any animals previously adopted from the centre.

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