72% OF STRAY DOGS NOT CLAIMED BY OWNERS

Hope Rescue is currently in the eye of a perfect storm. The aftermath of the pandemic, huge rise in dog ownership and the cost-of-living crisis has hit the charity hard. Despite the challenges, they continue to do all they can to help dogs and owners in need, but their resources are stretched to the absolute limit. In this time of crisis, they are reaching out for urgent help to weather this rocky storm and avoid having to reduce the number of dogs they can take in.

It has been widely reported that 2022 was a tough year for animal welfare charities like Hope Rescue and so far, the new year has brought little relief and a whole new fresh set of challenges. With around 3.2 million dogs purchased during the pandemic, it’s not surprising that Hope Rescue experienced a huge surge in the number of dogs through their doors. The charity currently has 202 dogs in their care at the rescue centre and across their foster homes. This year alone they have welcomed 100 stray dogs through the centre’s doors with only 28% being reclaimed by owners, many of which have been deliberately abandoned due to health or behavioural issues putting further pressure on the charity.

Hope Rescue’s Founder Vanessa Waddon has said

“As the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit every household, the same rise in costs has had a devastating impact on Hope Rescue’s already stretched resources. As well as massive hikes in our energy and fuel costs, we’ve also seen an increase in the cost of other essentials such as dog food, bedding and cleaning materials. The increase in the number of dogs we are rescuing, and the heart-breaking condition they are coming to us in, means our vet bills have risen from £94,000 pre pandemic to a predicted £312,000 this year.

We urgently need help to weather the storm. The last thing we want to do is to reduce the number of dogs we take in as this would put the lives and welfare of the most vulnerable dogs in our communities at risk. But sadly this is a real concern. In the last 12 months we’ve received 1242 calls from owners desperately asking for help to rehome their pets. This is a 69% increase on this time last year – too many dogs and their owners are counting on us.”

Can Hope Rescue count on you? If you can give anything, it will make a world of difference in their mission to keep giving our dogs hope.

You can make a donation to the care of dogs at Hope Rescue on their website www.hoperescue.org.uk/Appeal/the-perfect-storm  or over the phone 01443 226659