AN animal rescue charity has paid tribute to its longest serving employee after his sudden death recently.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue announced with ‘huge sadness’ this week that its Wingletang Centre manager Alan Ging had passed away at the age of 67.

Trustee Matt Devereux led the tributes on behalf of the charity, saying that Alan had been an ‘integral part of the charity’ along with his wife Niki. Joint managers of the centre, they both joined the organisation back in 1994.

He said: ‘A huge part of Alan’s work involved training and building up the confidence of the dogs coming into the centre.

Looking back at some of the particular rescues performed, Alan was frequently called upon to retrieve dogs abandoned cruelly on Dartmoor, often in appalling conditions.

‘His knowledge of the area and ability to deal with frightened and injured animals made many such rescues much easier.

‘Only recently an emergency call resulted in the rescue of seven pups aged six weeks old, all of which were successfully rehomed after extensive rehabilitation and veterinary care.

‘As an experienced dog trainer Alan won many prizes competing with his black labradors.

‘His excellent dog training abilities were then used to benefit all the dogs and staff at the centre, enabling thousands of dogs to be adopted as much-loved family pets.

‘He was regularly called upon by dog wardens and the police and formed a very close working relationship with the local community and their animals.

‘In partnership with Niki, who combines the same love of all animals with particular skills and experience of nursing care, they have been a formidable and completely united couple running our Wingletang rescue and rehoming centre for both dogs and cats and on occasion, other species.’

Matt said Alan’s character could not be overlooked, recallinga time when he erected all the marquees for the annual dog show, tying them all firmly down after weather warnings.

With the weather far worse than predicted, the marquees were blown across the surrounding fields during the night but Alan soon had them all back in place and the show went ahead as planned.

Matt added: ‘Alan was a passionate Scot who never lost his roots.

He insisted proudly on flying the flag of St Andrew over our marquees at every annual show, which was a source of amusement to us all.

‘The board of trustees, two of whom have personally known and worked closely with Alan since 1994, express our admiration and grateful thanks for his significant contribution to the welfare of thousands of animals in the 25 years that he and Niki have together managed our Devon centre.

‘Alan will be hugely missed by all who worked with him, including our many volunteers, and of course those who have supported the many fundraising events at our Wingletang Centre over the years.’

Alan leaves behind his wife Niki, son Jamie and daughter Kirsty.

In response to the news about Alan, A Scent-Sation in Tavistock will be making a donation to Margaret Green Animal Rescue from each bouquet sold.

Owners Linda and Paul rehomed Archie the seven-year-old Jackapoo from the Wingletang Centre.