AS PAWS across Macclesfield wave a fond farewell to a vital rescue home, its devoted owner is hoping YOU will step in to adopt her house guests.
As the owner of Macclesfield Animal Rescue Centre, Cindy Glover, 60, has been taking in Silk Town’s stray cats and dogs for more than 30 years.
But now the animal lover, of Byron Street, is battling emphysema and has admitted her condition makes the job almost impossible.
But as ill health forces her to throw in the towel, she needs residents to adopt her animals.
"I have to wear an oxygen mask for most of the day just to keep me breathing," Cindy said.
"I have always had asthma, but it’s turned into emphysema and, unfortunately, there isn’t a cure."
She added: "All my life I have looked after animals and I’m devastated that I’m going to have to retire.
"It’s very sad, but I don’t have a choice.
"Animals such as cats and dogs can be very energetic and it’s impossible for me to keep up with them, so all I want to do now is find them a good home."
In a cruel twist of fate, Cindy believes it was working with animals which helped her asthma develop into something worse.
She said: "I have been in intensive care twice with breathing problems because of looking after them, not getting enough sleep and going out in the cold to find them."
She added: "But I have loved it."
Cindy has made looking after animals her career, funding most of the project herself, with help from window cleaner husband Mark, 48.
She has up to 16 animals at a time in her two-bedroom cottage, but she says it was always a pleasure and never a chore.
James McCance is a senior vet at the Bond Street Veterinary Clinic and has worked closely with Cindy over the years.
He said: "She has been great and dedicated an awful lot of her time to her rescue home.
"She is just a nice lady and will be sorely missed."
Anybody who believes they can help Cindy to find new homes for her 14 cats, they can give her a call on 01625 263900.
