AN animal sanctuary in west Dorset is under water and appealing for help from the public.

The Birkett - Smith Animal Sanctuary near Broadwindsor, which provides forever homes to domestic, small farm and special needs Romanian dogs, is barely managing to keep afloat and is launching a appeal for shelters better prepared to withstand the weather.

Joy Keys said they had launched The Big Build project and the shlter needs to riase £100,000.

She said: "We really need help

"It's a massive task, we have a lot of money to raise and we know it's not going to be easy but the weather this year has now made it imperative that we get it done and we get it done fast.

"The sanctuary is currently waterlogged and we are barely managing to keep the animals dry....with the high winds and constant rain we are literally fighting to stay afloat.

"We are under eight inches of water in some areas and the outside play areas for the dogs are now unusable.

"We are used to dealing with wintry conditions but this year has been horrendous, the wettest since records began. "Our part of the country remains on amber flood alert and we still have the rest of the winter to survive.

"This is the worst we have ever seen and we are busier than ever due to so many animals needing sanctuary."

Ms Keys said 'every little helps' and whatever people could spare would make a difference.

She said: "Every penny goes directly to helping the animals in our care. We need to weatherproof some existing buildings and rebuild nearly an acre's worth of hamlet style housing onto one area of half acre raised concrete.

"The bottom line is, we need to raise £100,000 in time to start the build when the weather improves."

She said £45,000 would go towards groundwork's, concreting and drainage, £40,000 on 18 purpose built pack and SOS houses, £15,000 on for electrics and heating and second fit.

She added: "The build will see all the dogs going undercover and any existing housing will be upgraded. We have 80 dogs to get under cover, around 90 if we include temporary residents and we will be building an isolation unit for newcomers or sick dogs, treatment room, wash room and all weather play areas.

"The build will also include top level security, heating and lighting and will also add a further eight SOS spaces bringing us up to 20 in all which will help so many dogs, now and in the years to come who would otherwise have nowhere left to go.

"We have the acreage, the know how, the dedication and the passion....we now just need the funds but we simply can't do it without help."

The sanctuary is a registered charity and can be contacted through its website, on Facebook or at 3 Templemans Ash, Bridport, Dorset. DT6 5NX

The Sanctuary's PayPal is: joy@mckinlays.co.uk

Cheques payable to: BSAS and posted to J Keys. 3 Templemans Ash, Bridport, Dorset. DT6 5NX. Bank Transfer to: Natwest, BSAS, 60-06-24/36564737.