Leeds man appeals for donations for dogs on the brink of starvation

Callum Sinclair, 30, from Thorner, was working as brand strategist in London when he decided to quit the ratrace and move back to Leeds “to pursue other avenues” in February last year.

As a lifelong animal-lover, the plight of dogs in Morocco caught his eye and after first volunteering his media skills remotely for the charity Sunshine Animal Refuge Agadir (SARA), he jumped at the chance to join them in person in November last year.

Callum, a former pupil of Moorlands School in Leeds, said: “I was finished with my career in media and advertising. As well paid as it was, It was just not right for me. It was not what I wanted to do.

“I came across SARA through Google. I knew the plight of dogs in North Africa is arguably one of the worst in the world. They are treated worse than vermin.

“I volunteered to help with their fundraising strategy on a remote basis and did that for quite a long time but then they rescued 300 dogs from Agadir dog pound which put them under immense pressure and they needed more help out there.

“I decided to book a one-way ticket and off I went.”

Morocco’s attitude to stray animals has been controversial in recent years due to reports of local authorities using poison or live ammunition to control numbers.

At SARA, which was set up in 2007, there are currently 1,000 dogs across three shelters which have all been rescued from the streets - most having been run over, suffering from severe untreated diseases or being victims of cruelty.

Callum said: “I’m enjoying the fact that I’m doing something that I truly care about and trying to make the world a better place.

“But it's an emotional rollercoaster. There are harrowing moments. A few weeks ago I went to the dog pound to rescue dogs and they had lots of puppies. I rescued 42 puppies that were basically on the verge of dying. And we had space for 16 adults dogs but there were 150 dogs in that dog pound. Having to choose 16 was really not nice. They are all skin and bone and die every day.

“And some of the puppies we brought back died and having to bury puppies is not fun.”

As well as caring for the animals at their shelters, SARA also looks for new homes, including recently sending five dogs to Denmark.

Callum also said he hopes to send 50 dogs to a shelter in Canada once that becomes possible due to travel rules.

The Covid-19 pandemic out in Morocco is very different to here, he says.

“It’s much more relaxed here but there are restrictions - you have to wear your mask whenever you’re out and about, even driving; social distancing is everywhere and you have to get permission to go between regions - but everything is open.”

Sadly, however, the pandemic is having a devastating impact on SARA's income and Callum has launched major fundraising drive in the hope of appealing to fellow dog-lovers back home to try and raise £7,924 to cover the cost of a month’s worth of food - as he warns the charity is on the verge of running out of money.

“This is the first time we have not been able to feed the dogs”, he said.

“As a charity, we care for these animals through the support from our wonderful donors alone.

“Due to a tightening of the proverbial belt for people during the pandemic, we've experienced a drop in regular donations, and frighteningly this month we're about to run out of food to feed them, for the first time in our history.

“We're continuing efforts to get our monthly donations back up to avoid this situation next month, however, the present crisis is so severe I felt there was no other option but to appeal to kind, like-minded souls with a small fundraiser.”

He added: “With some extra help and support, however little, or large it may be, we can stop these animals from starving and get them the food they so urgently need.”

To learn more about SARA and donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/feed-1000-dogs-sunshine-animal-refuge

Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.