ESCALATING veterinary costs and lack of public support could see a Newton Abbot kitten rescue centre go under in the next seven days – resulting in more than 60 animals being put down.

Claire Hardwicke, who set up Decoy Kitten Rescue three-and-a-half-years ago with her husband John, has been ordered to pay almost £800 in a lump sum – by a local veterinary group she does not want to name – by Friday, November 6.

The couple have received only £90 in donations in the last two months – including £40 from nine-year-old Wolborough Primary School pupil Lauren Hamlyn, who, as reported in the Advertiser earlier this month, had her long blonde hair chopped off for the cause – they had already been struggling to pay their average running costs of around £300 per week.

To donate to Decoy Kitten Rescue contact Mrs Hardwicke on 01626 205755 or 07904 733126.

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