A sanctuary in Saddleworth which takes in sick, injured and rescued animals has issued an urgent appeal to help protect its feathered and furry friends with winter now around the corner.
Hilary Harry and Friends Wildlife Rescue Centre in Diggle is home to more than 300 animals, many of whom have been saved from slaughter or the brink of death.
The farm is run by Gemma Dumbill and her family as they work around the clock to provide a safe haven and a forever home to a variety of animals, from birds, chickens and herons to ferrets, pigs, sheep, rabbits and goats.
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The sanctuary hit headlines - and TV screens - this year when its rescue goat, Dexter, featured in an episode of Channel 5's The Yorkshire Vet.
Gemma and the team also came to the rescue recently, taking in two geese that had been spotted holding up traffic in Royton and Shaw, and this week took in an injured duck that survived a fox attack.
Now, the rescue centre has a winter 'wishlist' to help its feathered and furry friends throughout the tough season - with a new pigeon aviary at the top of its list.
In a public appeal, Gemma said: "Winter is fast approaching, and we’re worried that our current aviary won’t make it through the season.
"We desperately need to raise £2,500 for a new, safe, and weatherproof aviary to protect our rescue pigeons.
"We're always looking for ways to give our wild friends the best care possible, and right now this is our biggest project - a new aviary for our pigeons.
"Pigeons come to us often weak, injured, or young and aren't ready to fend for themselves in the wild.
"An aviary gives them a safe space to recover, stretch their wings, and practice flying before they're released back into nature.
"A proper aviary will make a world of difference to the pigeons that come through our doors, giving them the best possible chance at a full recovery and a return to the wild where they belong."
Earlier this week, Gemma revealed the farm hit its target to purchase their dream aviary and said she is "honestly over the moon".
Gemma added: "It really will be a game changer and allows us to rehabilitate even more injured pigeons that come through our door.
"It's a safe space to prepare them for release and a great spot for long term residents who need a permanent and safe home.
"Construction is set to start soon and we're aiming to have it in use by the end of November."
However, as well as the new aviary, the farm is still in need of some essential items, from disinfectant cleaning solutions to wound sprays, canker treatment for birds and pigeons and heat pads for small animals.
Also on the wishlist is bird perches, ropes, foraging toys and seed sticks to put in the new aviary.
The farm's wish list can be seen and donations can be made at hilaryharryandfriendswildliferescue.co.uk.
As for the other animals, the quirky list has 'goat coats', tortoise foraging treats, turtle care shell cream, a hedgehog house as well as food for an assortment of animals - from hedgehogs to chickens, ducks, chipmunks and reptiles.
Finally, Hilary Harry and Friends Wildlife Rescue Centre is appealing to businesses across Greater Manchester to sponsor the farm as they look to upgrade its ICU unit.
The farm needs 16 ICU 'blocks' for its animals, which costs £200 each.
The appeal comes as the farm said it is preparing for winter and has to ensure each animal home is warm and cosy for the months ahead.
Gemma said the rescue usually tries to stock up ahead of time "because we know there'll be even more rescues needing our help soon".
She added: "We’re stockpiling things like feed, bedding, and warm blankets – anything that can make the season a little easier for the rescues.
"It’s a lot to do, but when I look out at the farm and see all the animals we’ve been able to help, I feel so grateful."
Donations can be made on the Hilary Harry and Friends Wildlife Rescue website which also has its Amazon wish list.
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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