A Walthamstow grandmother has spent thousands rescuing dogs from Cyprus (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

A Walthamstow grandmother has spent thousands rescuing dogs from Cyprus

10:33am Friday 14th August 2009

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A DETERMINED grandmother has spent seven years and £25,000 rescuing abused and abandoned dogs from Cyprus.

Betty Clarke, of Wigram Square, Walthamstow, was so saddened to see so many malnourished, neglected and abused pets while holidaying on the Mediterranean island that she paid nearly £2,000 to rescue Jess and Lily.

Since then she has rescued 40 dogs, getting them veterinary treatment, micro chipped and passports, then flying them over to meet new owners in England – all out of of her own time and pocket.

The 71-year-old said: “I had no intention of doing any of this. But I get very upset and worked up over the treatment of animals.

“People say to me, fancy spending all that money on that. But I tell them it's my money and I think it is money well spent.

"And I will keep going until my money runs out.”

Mrs Clarke and her husband Ron first rescued Jess, a collie cross who was roaming the streets just “skin and bones”. Then they came across Lily, a terrier cross, after someone had thrown her onto the motorway.

After that she visited the Bfaws (British Friends Animal Welfare Society), an animal rescue centre set up 30 years ago in Nicosia in Cyprus by the British armed forces and now run as a trust by two British ex-patriots.

While visiting there she discovered many other distressing stories, such as Delboy who had been ravaged by another dog and had to have his ears amputated after they became gangrene, and Pickles who had been shaved and allowed to get sunburnt, prompting her to try to rescue as many as possible.

She said: “When we saw Delboy his ears were in shreds. Myself and two grown men stood and cried because he was in such a state. I paid for someone to care for him over there then found him a home with a friend of mine in Essex.”

The grandmother of four, who has four grown up children, said her children think she must be “potty” to do this, but she said that following her own ill health and her husband being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, rescuing dogs has been rewarding in difficult times.

She said: “It is these animals which have kept me going. It is so rewarding. I would love to win the lottery and open another rescue centre over there.”

Michael Saunders, principle trustee of Bfaws, said: “Betty is a wonderful lady and still keeps in touch with all the people who have adopted dogs.

“People like her are very special and dedicated. If it wasn't for her we couldn't do our work – she has inspired us all.”

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