What We Do At Hope Rescue

Hope Rescue is not a rescue in the conventional sense. Established in 2005, we are primarily a co-ordinating rescue. Most of our work involves moving dogs from put to sleep or emergency situations. We secure rescue spaces for these dogs with reputable rescues such as the Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and RSPCA, together with a number of excellent smaller rescues and breed rescues. We will also transport them to the rescue and cover many thousands of miles every month.

The majority of the dogs we deal with are strays from Local Authority pounds which would otherwise be euthanised once they have completed their statutory 7 days. You can read more about the stray dog problem and the associated issues in this article: Stray Dog Problem. The main pounds we work with are located in South Wales and the South West of England, but we also help other pounds when we have the capacity. We also help other rescues and organisations to move dogs when they are full and have dogs referred to them that they cannot take in.

"On average we move around 10 dogs a week, but at peak times this can be as high as 25 dogs, many of which are facing destruction."

We use boarding kennels in Llantrisant and Caerphilly, South Wales to hold dogs if there is a delay in their put to sleep date and a rescue space becoming available. Boarding fees are one of our highest expenses but emergency holding kennels are vital as usually there are not enough rescue spaces available, particularly for the bull breeds and other larger breeds. However, once funding allows we eventually hope to own or lease our own Rescue Centre.

Whilst we remain primarily a co-ordinating rescue we have also found it necessary to take in dogs for rehoming ourselves, as we are sometimes unable to secure rescue spaces. These may be dogs with medical problems, the oldies or some of the larger breeds such as bull breeds. We also occasionally take in dogs from owners who find themselves in emergency situations and can no longer keep their dog. These are fostered via a network of fantastic and dedicated foster homes. More information on fostering can be found in the Fostering area. Details of our current dogs for rehoming can be found in the Meet The Dogs area.

We are entirely self-funded, and with only one temporary paid staff member we rely on the fantastic support of our volunteers. Most of our expenses are for boarding, medical and transport costs that we cannot reclaim through rehoming fees as the dogs are rehomed by other rescues. Fundraising is therefore an uphill struggle and we are always looking for fundraising volunteers!

There are many ways you can help Hope Rescue - fundraising, transporting, fostering, make a donation, set up a direct debit, sponsor one of our long term fosters etc. More information on how you can help can be found in Ways to Help and Volunteers.

Many of our friends and supporters have generously donated time and money to help us raise the funds we need. As always, without them we would not be able to help the number of dogs that we do.

Our Kennel Costs Appeal has so far raised much-needed funds to secure spaces for dogs in need. A huge thank you must go to Pets At Home and Burns Pet Nutrition who have given us their support to maintain 8 kennels this year.

All amounts, however small, are always gratefully received and WILL make a difference. Thank you.