An emergency appeal has been launched to replace the roof of an animal shelter.

Work on refurbishing the kennels of the Patcham Animal Shelter, which helps hundreds of dogs, had to be halted following major leaks in the roof over the winter.

The RSPCA has to find £100,000 to replace the roof, with the damage limiting the number of animals the charity can help.

Branch manager Jenny Eden said: “We were devastated to find that the whole roof of our kennels had to be replaced.

“It means that the first phase of our plan to create better kennels has been delayed by three months and we are currently having to limit the number of animals we can help at a time when demand is at an all-time high.

“Now we are urgently trying to raise money to complete our kennel block and, for a small, independent charity, £100,000 is a huge amount of money to find.”

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The charity is also launching a range of sponsored and challenge events, including abseiling down the i360 and a sponsored kennel sleepout once the new roof is in place.

The shelter’s head of small animals Hazel Tarrant is also running one-and-a-half marathons to raise money to replace the roof as part of a “39 miles your way” challenge.

The kennel build project is a phased three-year plan to create 40 new kennels and 40 cat pens using the latest animal welfare knowledge to meet the needs of the animals that come into the shelter and help rehabilitate them ready to find forever homes.

Last year, the RSPCA in Brighton rehomes more than 700 animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds and reptiles.

The shelter receives no government funding or support from the council and relies on the support of the local community to fund its work.

Donations to the appeal can be made at rspcabrighton.enthuse.com/ShelterRoof.