Cancer patient calls for foster carers for Axarquia-based animal rescue

By Eloise Horsfield

A WOMAN who set up an animal shelter despite having cancer is desperate for volunteers to help her foster abandoned pets.

Teresa Dainty has continued to expand her charity, despite being diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2009 at just 43-years-old.

“My doctor said, ‘Let’s see if we can get you to 45’ – and now I’m 45 the challenge is to get to 46,” says Dainty, originally from Northamptonshire.

Dainty has seen her Axarquia Online Animal Rescue, set up in 2011, grow fast.

It came while she had to endure a partial mastectomy, full lymph node removal as well as a year of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

She was later told the cancer had spread to her spine.

“It has helped to keep me active,” she explains. “It is something to take my mind off things.”

The charity, which has raised over €1,500 and, so far, cared for dozens of animals, now needs to foster carers to look after pets waiting to be rehomed.

“Even if it just for two weeks, it is really useful. We have been inundated with animals that need rescuing,” adds Dainty, who manages to hold down a full-time job in disabled hotel Las Piedras.

To help, visit www.axarquiananimalrescue.com