IT has been home to ferrets, pigs, iguanas and even emus and now houses 150 different animals from the very tiny to the very large.

You have probably heard of All Creatures Great and Small, the well-known Cwmbran animal sanctuary which has been in business since 1992.

The charity, run mostly by volunteers and some paid staff, relies on donations to take in as many abused, unwanted and orphaned animals as it can.

But recently the sanctuary has hit hard times and is struggling to keep up with vet bills and the upkeep of the animals.

It needs £250,000 a year to run and currently owes £8,000 in vet bills – just enough to keep it going for another six months.

Staff and volunteers are desperate to keep it running and have launched a desperate appeal for donations.

Matt Nicholls, business development manager at the charity, said volunteer numbers have slightly decreased too, although they currently count 43 in total.

He said: “Volunteer numbers have dipped but we have had a lot of people enquiring about volunteering over the last month.

“We have had a lot of people wanting to join which is really good. What we have noticed is the reduced donations.

“I don’t know whether it’s the climate, whether there’s other charities people are giving to or if people are trying to be a bit more careful with their money.

“But now we are facing large bills, we owe £8,000 around about. We need help with our vet bills and feeding bills to help us continue.”

All Creatures was first founded 24 years ago by Vivienne Harris when she moved to Church Farm, in Llanfrechfa, where the sanctuary still operates today.

She was passionate about helping animals and over the years the number of animals at the sanctuary grew and a rehoming programme was born as well as keeping resident animals.

By 2001, when its reputation had been built up, the charity began employing regular staff.

Ms Harris’ health deteriorated and she moved away in 2005 and later died, but her dedication lives on in the charity’s work.

Now, Mr Nicholls explains, the charity houses animals from goats to guinea pigs.

“Goats, sheeps, pigs right the way through to cats, dogs and small animals,” he said.

“We also have a ferret, chickens, cockatiels, budgies, guinea pigs.

“We haven’t got them at the moment but we have had iguanas, emus, we had a big deer. We don’t tend to do the wildlife as much anymore.

“We have got some Mangalica pigs coming which look like sheep. They are coming in over the next week.

“Some of the animals live with us as residents. Some will be rehomed, particularly if they are unwell.”

He said the animals can find their way to the sanctuary with a whole host of different stories.

He said: “They come in for different reasons. People don’t always appreciate the responsibility so we take them in.

“Or some of it is already prearranged. We make assessments to make sure we can look after them.

“We will get animals if someone has passed away.

“Or this week, for example, one lady brought two cats into the office because she had terminal cancer.

“The first priority is the animals of course but we help the people too; if we didn’t take them like this morning, I don’t know what she would have done.”

Mr Nicholls said staff and volunteers at the sanctuary notice a huge difference in animals which come in after being physically abused or malnourished.

He said: “We see animals come on hugely, but of course it takes time and you see all the extra work which goes in.

“But it’s amazing to work here. It can be stressful at times.

“Especially at times we are going through at the moment, worrying if there will be enough money for us to continue.

“But it’s wonderful. Not as nice in the rain when you’re working on the farm.”

Volunteering opportunities at the sanctuary are varied, Mr Nicholls said.

“It can be a mixture, it can be fundraising or helping us with an event we have organised.

“Sometimes when you say fundraising you thing of shaking buckets but it’s not just that.

“They can help in our charity shops, dog walking or mucking out the farm.

“Becoming a hands-on volunteer is a gradual process.”

As well as donating money, people can sponsor animals for those who want to see something in return for their money.

And the sanctuary is always grateful for donations of items including bedding for animals, for example.

But, despite the financial worries, Mr Nicholls stays hopeful while making sure the charity’s need for donations is heard.

“We will be alright for six months,” he said. “But after these six months it may very well be a different story.”

For more information about the sanctuary, the upcoming events it is holding or to donate, please visit http://allcreaturesgreatandsmall.org.uk.