Hope Rescue has launched an urgent appeal as it faces having to make some heart-breaking decisions.

Facing a perfect storm of the cost-of-living crisis and post-Covid dramatic increase in the number of stray and abandoned dogs, the south Wales charity is calling on its supporters to help weather the storm.

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.”

With their own kennels at capacity, the charity is having to use private boarding kennels as a temporary solution until space becomes available as dogs are adopted or taken in foster homes by volunteers.

Vanessa Waddon continues,

“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, please visit the appeal page

Emergency appeal