A dog welfare charity in south Wales has launched an urgent appeal before it has no choice but to make some heart-breaking decisions. It comes as Hope Rescue is struggling to support and fund the dramatic increase of stray and abandoned dogs.
Post-Covid and due to the cost-of-living crisis, the charity has received a number of unclaimed dogs from Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and the Vale with complex medical conditions, which have left their kennels full and funds stretched.
With their own kennels at capacity, Hope Rescue have to use private boarding kennels as a temporary solution until space becomes available, or their dogs are adopted or taken to foster homes by volunteers. The charity is now calling on its supporters to help.
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Vanessa Waddon, Senior Head of Operations, said: “Right now, we’re facing some very difficult decisions about who we can and can’t help. Our kennels are full and our funds are stretched to the limit. For the unclaimed stray dogs from Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil and Torfaen we are their only hope – without us, the unthinkable would happen. But we are struggling to help them and their future is at risk.”
Hope Rescue is the "last hope" for many dogs who have been rescued from the pound and have multiple health issues. One of its residents, Hobbit, arrived at the charity after spending seven days in the pound kennels. The charity said: "He had some health issues, so we weren’t surprised when his owner didn’t claim him. We strongly believe he was abandoned as a ‘fake stray’.
"His health conditions included issues with his knees and lameness in the right hind leg. Sadly he needed one of his legs amputated, and he’s now recovering well in one of our wonderful foster homes. We were Hobbit’s last hope, and he now has a happy future."
Another rescue, an 11-month-old Patterdale cross named Flo, also ended up in the pound kennels with a suspected broken leg. "Her owner couldn’t be found and it was clear Flo had been passed around multiple times, so Hope Rescue once again stepped in to ensure she received the urgent vet care she needed. Fixing her leg cost £2,500. The vet team are incredibly happy with her progress so we are sure it won’t be long before she is back to full health. We were Flo’s last hope, and it’s vital we can continue to be there for dogs like her," said Hope Rescue.
Peanut Butter, the "sweet" pug, is another dog the charity has worked tirelessly to help. The charity said: "Despite requiring multiple treatments for her eyes and ears she is still happy to greet us each day. Due to her horrendous ear infection she is currently on steroids to open her ear canals. This will allow her to have them flushed and a swab taken to see the underlying bacteria causing the infection so we know how best to treat it. She will also need a dental in the future. It’s hard to believe that despite Peanut Butter’s poor condition, she has previously been bred from."
Vanessa Waddon added: "Saying 'no' to these dogs would be the hardest decision we’ve had to make in our 18-year history, but with spiralling costs this is the reality we are facing. We’re not ready to give up on them yet, but we need urgent help. The huge financial cost of private boarding is one we can ill afford.
“We’re seeing an increase in the number of abandoned dogs with complex medical conditions, which is undoubtedly a symptom of the cost-of-living challenges facing the community, and this means that dogs are in our care for much longer. This puts additional pressure on kennel space”.
Hope Rescue is seeking donations for its emergency appeal, to ensure they can continue to help these vulnerable dogs, in addition to the hundreds of stray dogs they take in through the Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan council stray dog contracts, dogs that are seized from low welfare breeders and dogs from owners in crisis.
If you are able to help Hope Rescue with their work, please visit the appeal page at: https://www.hoperescue.org.uk/Appeal/the-perfect-storm
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