My name is Andrea and I run a rescue in Spain called Operation Great Escape. We need to move to new premises and this is why…..

We’ve been in our current location for 5 years. Twice we have been told we have to leave because the house was needed by a family member and the 2nd time because it was being sold. Both times the reasons given were lies and the actual problem was threats to my landlord from the landowners next door. They do not live on the land and rarely come up but they do not like the dogs next door.

My kids will not go outside when they are here because they shout abuse through the fence. They make the dogs bark, constantly complain and just generally make life unbearable.

Whilst I can stay here it’s not a nice way to live for any of us. The house has issues, leaking roof, awful electrics, constant problems with water but we tolerate it because it’s so very hard to find anywhere else that will accept all the animals. We are also over capacity for the amount of land we have. Our animals need more.

Recently I was told about a rural horse property, it’s much bigger than here, less overlooked and less rent. I went to see it, not expecting much but was blown away with the potential.

It’s a long term rental, the owners don’t want to live in the house and can’t sell it. I’ve been totally up front about the number of animals and what I do and it’s no problem at all. This is my dream property for the animals. They can have more space, better housing, a proper exercise area, it’s almost too good to be true.

Unfortunately I cannot achieve this move without financial help. I cover my rent where I am now but I don’t have funds for a deposit and would also need to cover a months rent on both properties while we move.

I also need to dismantle pens and move/rebuild them at the new property and then make good where we’ve had the pens at the old property.

The new place is not totally fenced so we would also need to sort that too.

It’s a huge ask, I know that, but staying where I am long term is not an option, I can’t live like this anymore, it’s not fair on the dogs, my kids or me. I don’t know if I will get this kind of opportunity again so I have to grab it with both hands.

I’m setting up a go fund me to try and raise funds for the move. In the first instance I need 3000 euros for the deposit and the initial work that needs to be done to be able to start moving animals over. In total we probably need 20,000 euros (£16,500) to be able to do everything properly but that can be done in stages. The new property also has enough room for me to be able to move our mastin family which will also reduce our residence fees each month.

I know this is a big ask and I may not achieve the full total but please help me to move to a better, more secure setting for the rescue.