SCOTLAND’S biggest animal lover has issued a desperate plea to help save her pets.
Mione Morrison currently cares for 130 rescue animals including 22 horses, 19 hens, 25 guinea pigs and 12 disabled dogs on her farm near Aberfoyle in Perthshire.
The 63-year-old works over 14 hours a day to take care of the animals, which she insists will not be rehomed and will stay with her forever.
She spends thousands of pounds a month out of her own pension and savings on food, shelter and vets bills, and relies on small donations to keep the place running.
However, a recent spate of floods and diminishing funds have forced her to issue a serious bid for cash help.
And if something doesn’t happen soon, the future of over 100 vulnerable animals hangs in the balance.
Mione’s animals range from Tyke, the dog abandoned with a broken pelvis after being run over by a car, to Echo, a Shetland pony saved from being sent to a meat market in Europe.
There is also Molach, the Highland cow who was rescued at just six weeks old and could only be fed through a stomach tube.
She also cares for three completely blind dogs – Avatar, Sherlock and Frodo – who accompany her on treks to raise money.
Her home, named Glendrick Roost, consists of a former farmhouse and land on which purpose-built barns have been constructed to home the larger animals.
There are also three portacabins filled with hay, wood chippings and makeshift runs for the rabbits.
Yet another building, complete with its own heating and lighting system, houses six tortoises and two turtles.
Mione shares her own home with the dogs, cats and a few birds. Asked if it was manic in her house, she responded: “I love it. It’s just lovely so I don’t care.”
Mione describes vert bills as “astronomical”. They include a recent bill for £600 to get three animals spayed.
130 pets create a lot of waste and that tough job alone often takes Mione from 8am to 2pm.
Even after she finishes looking after the animals, Mione heads back home to post videos and images of the animals onto her social media accounts.
Asked how she remembered all of their names, she said: “Teachers remember all of their children’s names don’t they? You just get used to it.”
Her dream is to buy a new site and open a cafe and visitor centre, which would enable the sanctuary to become self-sufficient.
“We’re looking for an additional place where we can take some animals every day and have children and families come to visit and pay a fee,” she said.
“On my own, I can’t afford that kind of money. I don’t have any money. I’m not a material person – I don’t drink, go out or wear fancy clothes.
“It all goes on the animals.”
Mione also desperately needs more volunteers to lend a helping hand with all aspects of the animal’s care.
“I don’t have enough people to help out,” she said. “We take on animals when they need to be taken on, but I’m not as fit as I used to be.
“I promised to give these animals a home for life but at the minute we are stuck with what we have got.”
