A Tasmanian cat rescue founder has made an emotional appeal for help after her dream of opening a new shelter hit a devastating roadblock.
Rachel Beech, who runs Just Cats Tasmania on the state’s north-west coast, says she never wanted to ask for money.
But rising construction costs have left her with no choice.
“It pains us deeply to even write this and we are genuinely sorry to have to ask,” she said.
The rescue’s new surrender facility is close to completion but has gone $70,000 over budget.
“… It breaks our hearts to say this, but it wasn’t meant to be,” Beech said.
She said the rescue had done everything possible to make the numbers work.
“We cut back wherever we could. We made difficult decisions,” she said.
“We stretched every dollar, explored every option and pushed ourselves to the limit trying to make this work.”
The facility was meant to be a lifeline for cats in crisis on the north-west and west coasts, where options are limited and support services are scarce.
Without it, Beech says many animals will have nowhere to go.
“We are so close, yet so vulnerable right now,” she said.
The rescue received a state government grant to begin construction but could not absorb the cost blowout.
Beech said she understood people were doing it tough.
“We know how hard times are right now and we would not be here if there were any other option,” she said.
She is now hoping thousands of small donations can get the project over the line.
“Just $5 from each and every one would get us closer to making this shelter a reality,” she said.
“It would mean the world. It’s the cost of your next cup of coffee but one that will help us more than you can ever know.”
Beech said opening the doors would honour everything the rescue had worked towards.
“Please help us honour this project and open the doors for the cats, for the community and for their future,” she said.
