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# Race Against Time
Waterford woman and her 39 dogs fighting eviction with crowdfunding campaign
Sandra Hennessy has launched the campaign to help her make up rent arrears on her country home.
FOR MOST OF us one or two animals is about our limit when it comes to keeping pets. Maybe two cats and a dog, two dogs and a cat.
Waterford woman Sandra Hennessy has taken it one step beyond – she currently hosts 39 rescued canines at her home.
Unfortunately for Sandra looking after so many animals has taken its toll on her finances, and she and her furry companions face eviction if she can’t make up her rent arrears.
So she’s launched a Gofundme campaign to try and make up the difference.
“Over the last 20 years I have been rescuing and looking after many dogs that have come my way,” Sandra says.
The family has grown over the years and currently I have 39 dogs in my care.
Sandra and company have been living on a property in the country near Dungarvan for the past three years.
She’s a knitwear producer by trade which she sells in markets around the country.
Up until now I have been funding the upkeep of the dogs entirely by myself,” says Sandra.
Over the last year (finances have been) quite a struggle.
I have been told by my landlord that I will be served an eviction notice by the end of February if I cannot catch up with the rent.
Should the company be evicted the various dogs will need to be re-homed according to Sandra. Either that or be put to sleep.
“Some of them are quite elderly and so it is more likely that they will have to be put down,” she says, describing the prospect as one she “cannot bear”.
Currently the funding campaign has some distance to go.
With just five days left in February, the pressure is on to try and reach her goal.
“Time is running out,” says Sandra.
Hopefully we can stay in this lovely place so the dogs can live out the rest of their lives in comfort.
Read: Waterford is – slowly, very slowly – pulling itself out of recession
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