AN ANIMAL sanctuary has renewed an appeal for donations after it revealed one of its dogs needed a £4,000 operation to help him see again.

Hamish, a six-year-old King Charles Spaniel, lives at the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, in Stadhampton.

He is blind in one eye and can hardly see at all in the other.

Experts say he needs a cataract operation as soon as possible to restore his sight and improve his chances of being rehomed.

The sanctuary was days from closing in July because of a funding crisis.

Trustees appealed for cash and warned hundreds of animals would have to be put down if the 30-year-old home folded.

But since then animal lovers have stepped forward – donating more than £90,000 to keep it afloat.

Trustee Charlie McCreedy said Hamish deserved to see again and find happiness in a new home.

He said: “He is blind in one eye and he can only see light and dark shadows in the other.

“We noticed it when we were giving him tit bits. We realised he couldn’t see them and he was relying on smell.

“We took him to a specialist last week, who said his sight could be saved with a cataract operation. It costs about £2,000 for each eye.

“Then he will be able to see like he used to.

“The sooner they operate on him the bigger his chances of success.

“He is such a happy dog and despite all that he is going through he is so loving and very active.

“It just seems so sad that such a beautiful dog is going to go blind when he could get his sight back if we raise enough money.”

Hamish had lived with a family in Summertown, Oxford, for most of his life before moving to Brackley, Northamptonshire.

However, he did not get along with his owner’s cats.

Mr McCreedy, who lives in Marston, Oxford, said Hamish had recently made friends with another King Charles Spaniel at the sanctuary called Lady who had become his “lifeline”.

He said: “They bonded very closely. When he was re-homed he was pining for the other dog.”

Recently, 14-year-old Collie-Cross Bernie was rehomed with a retired couple in Witney after 10 years at the sanctuary.

Greyhounds Charley and Bailey, also long-term sanctuary residents, have been rehomed in Wallingford – four years after arriving at the sanctuary.

Warden Maggie Whalley said: “It’s sad when they go, but it’s great because they are going to a nice home with beds and sofas.”

To help Hamish, please send cheques to Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, Watlington Road, Stadhampton OX44 7UB, marked ‘Help Hamish’.

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk