Dog rescue charity appeals for help after reaching 'breaking point'
Hope Rescue, which operates across south Wales, is urgently appealing for support to continue its work after 20 years of caring for stray, abandoned, and unwanted dogs.
The charity takes in all the stray dogs from six local authorities in south Wales, regardless of age, breed, or medical condition.
Vanessa Waddon, CEO and founder of Hope Rescue, said: "At the start of our 20th year, we were filled with hope and pride in our achievements over the last two decades.
"But behind these positive emotions lay a deep fear.
"We're devastated to tell you that we have reached breaking point, and without immediate support, we may no longer be able to save them."
The charity's rising costs have outpaced income, putting its services in jeopardy.
Ms Waddon said: "In common with so many other charities, our costs have risen dramatically, but at a pace that our income has not kept up.
"The costs for our vet bills, mortgage, utilities, insurance and NI contributions have all spiralled.
"Every month, our income falls further behind our outgoings, despite doing everything we can to cut costs and raise funds."
Hope Rescue supports some of the most vulnerable dogs in the region, including those seized from low-welfare or illegal breeders.
The charity now faces the possibility of cutting services.
Ms Waddon said: "In our budgets, we made sacrifices to protect the dogs that need us the most but we're running out of options and are now at the stage we have to consider cutting service delivery.
"For us, the devastating decision we are now facing is to remove the lifeline we provide to the unclaimed strays in the pound from Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly.
"Last year alone that was 137 dogs, aside from our own stray dog contracts and dogs seized from puppy farms."
The charity has launched a crisis appeal to help keep its doors open.
Ms Waddon said: "Please, donate to Hope Rescue's Crisis Appeal today.
"Help us keep the doors open to the dogs who have no one else."
For more information on how to donate, visit the Hope Rescue website.
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