Jennifer Avila -Founder and Director |
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Jennifer knew from a early age that she wanted to help animals. At the age of 15 she started veterinary nursing and became a qualified veterinary nurse a few years later. These skills were to be put to good use when on holiday in Crete she visited an animal shelter and realised she couldn’t leave animals that needed the care and attention she could give them. She stayed and managed the shelter for 6 months in between veterinary exams.
Rescuing and caring for animals in Crete remained a passion. After gaining her veterinary nursing qualifications she continued in animal welfare, using all her holiday time visiting the island and assisting with neutering programmes and helping strays in any way she could.
In 2014 Jennifer and a friend, who shared her passion for animal welfare, visited Romania rescuing their first 28 dogs who they pulled from an horrific existence and re-homed them in the UK.
Since 2014 Jennifer has worked full time rescuing animals. Whilst on a rescue mission to Crete she met her husband to be and moved to Crete where she lived for 3 years, seeing first hand the struggles of animals on the island. Time in Crete was spent rescuing many many animals, fostering over 180 dogs, managing neuter clinics, catch and release programmes and organising the logistics involved allowing animals to leave the island and find new families in the UK.
Jennifer returned to the UK in 2017 and her rescue work continued, just from the UK. The charity, Chimney Farm International Dog Rescue, continues to go from strength to strength becoming a registered charity in March 2018.
Contact Jen by email jenn@chimneyfarm.com
Rescuing and caring for animals in Crete remained a passion. After gaining her veterinary nursing qualifications she continued in animal welfare, using all her holiday time visiting the island and assisting with neutering programmes and helping strays in any way she could.
In 2014 Jennifer and a friend, who shared her passion for animal welfare, visited Romania rescuing their first 28 dogs who they pulled from an horrific existence and re-homed them in the UK.
Since 2014 Jennifer has worked full time rescuing animals. Whilst on a rescue mission to Crete she met her husband to be and moved to Crete where she lived for 3 years, seeing first hand the struggles of animals on the island. Time in Crete was spent rescuing many many animals, fostering over 180 dogs, managing neuter clinics, catch and release programmes and organising the logistics involved allowing animals to leave the island and find new families in the UK.
Jennifer returned to the UK in 2017 and her rescue work continued, just from the UK. The charity, Chimney Farm International Dog Rescue, continues to go from strength to strength becoming a registered charity in March 2018.
Contact Jen by email jenn@chimneyfarm.com
Trustees
Our Trustees have a range of responsibilities the most important of which is that they are responsible for making sure Chimney Farm International Dog Rescue is doing what it was set up to do. The Trustees also use their skills and experience to support us, helping us achieve our aims.
Katie Cole
I have been involved with Chimney Farm since its kennels were opened in 2014. I became friends with Jennifer back in 2009 and she asked if I wanted to join her on a project in Crete, that was my first taste of rescue seeing how animals were mistreated made me want to do my bit to help.
Now I am one of the trustees and main fundraisers for CF which I really enjoy, it can be challenging managing this alongside a full time job but I like to be busy. We have a great network of supporters and hope to make 2021 our most successful fundraising year to date.
Now I am one of the trustees and main fundraisers for CF which I really enjoy, it can be challenging managing this alongside a full time job but I like to be busy. We have a great network of supporters and hope to make 2021 our most successful fundraising year to date.
 Gary Stones
I have always been an animal lover and wanted a way in which I could be involved with a charity and be able to help. I was invited to work with Chimney Farm early 2019 and have been a trustee ever since. I am a solicitor, so my main role is to assist with our legal duties and regulatory obligations.
I live in London with my partner Natalie and our two children Tom and Willow. I have a deep love of all animals, especially dogs. In my spare time I can be found walking Hudson, my beloved English Cocker Spaniel around the parks near my home.I hope to be involved in some more hands on rescue work this year, exciting times ahead. |
 Cliff Sutton
After a career in IT Marketing and Customer Service I retired 4 years ago. After about 6 months the charms of gardening, DIY and afternoon quiz shows had disappeared. I needed an outside interest. Luckily I heard that a local dog rescue , Chimney Farm, was looking for volunteers.
After a look round and chat I realised that this was just what I was looking for - a chance to help a great cause and work with dogs. I volunteered for two mornings a week when CF had kennels, cleaning, dog walking and puppy cuddling. However, my background soon caught up with me - the rest, as they say, is history. I work now busily behind the scenes managing the website and also regularly help with logistics of bringing the rescued dogs back to the UK. |
We are also lucky to have many wonderful volunteers who are the backbone of Chimney Farm - our foster families, fundraising team, volunteers, drivers, rescuers in Europe. There are many members of our Chimney Farm family and every one plays a vital role.
