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South East Dog Rescue based in Cotton Lane, Greenhithe in desperate search for new home amid site sale

An animal rescue shelter owner says she is “heartbroken” amid fears their kennels could be at risk of closure — again.

Kymm White set up South East Dog Rescue in 2009, which has been at its current site in Cotton Lane, Greenhithe, for five years.

Kymm White, founder of South East Dog Rescue
Kymm White, founder of South East Dog Rescue

She said: “I started it as a home-run effort, taking in one dog at a time.

“It’s quickly grown into a lifeline for thousands of dogs, many of whom came to us from unimaginable circumstances.

“We’ve rehomed dogs, provided sanctuary for those who couldn’t cope in traditional homes, and supported struggling families with food, neutering, and foster care.

“We’ve upheld a strict no-kill policy and been a last resort for dogs who had nowhere else to turn.”

But just before Christmas, she was told the kennels they rent have been put up for sale.

South East Dog Rescue is looking for a permanent home
South East Dog Rescue is looking for a permanent home

She explained: “We took this property on with a year's lease back in 2020 but it's just been extended each time due to Covid, and the property developers then weren’t doing anything with it.

“We’ve been lucky enough to be here this long – the owners have now decided to put the land up for sale to build warehouses.”

The same thing happened at its previous home in Maidstone, where the kennels she rented in Headcorn Road were knocked down for housing.

A Gofundme with a target of £1.7million has been set up in the hope the rescue will be able to raise enough money to either buy its current site or to find a new home by August.

Donations can be made here.

The rescue has helped thousands of dogs
The rescue has helped thousands of dogs

Kymm explained: “We’re not just setting our sights on earning that much money, we just want to secure somewhere.

“If someone were to drop £1.7million in my lap tomorrow, would this be the best place to buy for the dogs? Absolutely not.

“It seems like a lot of money but that’s not really our goal. Our goal is to raise as much money as possible to buy something to never be back in this position again.

“Buying somewhere is the dream. Obviously, if we didn’t have enough money and someone offered us somewhere for two years, of course, I’m going to do it, because I have to think about these dogs.

“The ideal situation would be to just have it be ours, something we can make our own and make work for our dogs.

The rescue has been at its current site in Greenhithe for five years
The rescue has been at its current site in Greenhithe for five years

“We just want to be secure. I can’t contemplate moving somewhere for six months and then being in this position again.

“I would much rather live in a mobile home with somewhere that's got facilities for the dogs that we can improve on, if its our only option.”

The fundraiser has already raised nearly £32,000, with many people sharing words of support.

Kymm says she is also looking into lots of different fundraising possibilities to raise money.

There are currently nine sanctuary dogs at the site that are not currently able to be rehomed, but there can be up to 25 dogs being cared for by the rescue at a time.

The rescue is raising money to buy a permanent site
The rescue is raising money to buy a permanent site

“We’re getting asked to take in more and more dogs every single day and we just want to help as many as we can,” Kymm said.

She added: “For 16 years, this rescue has been my entire life. It’s been 24/7, 365 days a year.

“It is all-encompassing and I’m so lucky in so many ways to be able to do something that means so much to me and to the dogs and to the people that rehome them.

“The thought of not being able to provide that for all these dogs that need it literally kills me, it breaks my heart that dogs could lose their lives because they had nowhere to go.

“I live here, everything is here. My daughter Skye was around two when all this evolved, I’ve been a single mum throughout the entire time and it’s just been me and her and an amazing bunch of volunteers who, without them, this wouldn’t have been possible.

“We are under no illusion that the funds needed is possible, but we’re not willing to give up without a fight – our dogs, and future dogs, are all worth it.”

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