A veterinary nurse was today celebrating the success of her "one-man venture" after opening a new rescue centre for guinea pigs and rats.
Lesley Morgan, 49, of Church Road, Hadleigh, founded the Essex Guinea Pig and Rat Centre ten years ago and has just opened a purpose-built facility for rodents.
The centre, which is the only rat rescue centre in the county, finally achieved charitable status 18 months ago and is now home to around 45 and 50 guinea pigs and rats.
The opening of the new facility marks the start of an exciting time for Lesley and her husband Stuart.
Lesley, who also workers at the Earls Hall Rayleigh Road veterinary surgery, said: "I've always been interested in rodents, especially guinea pigs, and this whole centre started out after I saw a course on rodents advertised. I decided to take it - and the whole thing ballooned from there.
"We started out with just a mishmash of ordinary garden sheds and a garage - now we have opened this purpose built area for them."
Since gaining charitable status, the centre has had the support of the RSPCA and the Environment Agency - and every donation it receives is used to care for the rodents, some of whom do go to new homes.
The centre is always looking for volunteers, if you can help please contact Lesley on 01702 421617.
Published Tuesday November 18, 2003
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