Hope Rescue holds the local authority stray dog contracts for Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and the West Side of the Vale of Glamorgan and also commit to take in every unclaimed stray from the county boroughs of Merthyr, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen.

So far this year, Hope has seen 758 dogs come through its doors, of which 389 were stray dogs. Only 130 of these were able to be reunited with their owners.

These challenges mean that some stray dog kenneling providers have not been able to continue, especially if they do not have a rescue supporting them to rehome the unclaimed dogs once they have completed their statutory stray time of seven days.

This has happened recently in Caerphilly, and the Council urgently needed to find a new kennel provider and a new rescue to support the dogs after those crucial seven days.

Caerphilly County Borough Council has now been able to find a kennel provider, however they still had no options for those dogs after their seven days in the pound.

Stray dogs who have not been claimed by their owners after their statutory seven days are  at risk of being put to sleep if they cannot secure a rescue space.

Vanessa Waddon, CEO of Hope Rescue said: 

“Despite Hope Rescue itself being under tremendous pressure, we knew we could not leave these dogs behind to their fate and so have committed to take all unclaimed strays from Caerphilly county borough too, as there was no one else who was willing or able to do so. The recent challenges faced in Caerphilly highlight the growing crisis in dog welfare for abandoned and unwanted dogs, with rescues now always full. We came to the rescue in this instance even though we are also at capacity, we are working tirelessly to recruit more foster home, finding lovely adopters and working with partner rescues  to transfer dogs.”

A spokesperson for Caerphilly County Borough Council said:

“Hope rescue has proved vital in ensuring Caerphilly CBC is still able to offer a stray dog function across the Borough.Working with Hope has enabled stray dogs to be rehomed and given a second chance in life. You can tell Hope Rescue really care about the welfare of the dogs they rescue and enables us in Caerphilly to know the stray dogs are going to good homes and reduces the need for euthanasia for unwanted dogs."

Caring for unclaimed stray dogs can be challenging and the rising numbers are having an impact on our stretched resources. Most of these dogs have been deliberately abandoned and Hope has committed to never leaving a dog behind regardless of age, breed, health, or behaviour. This means that many of the dogs that come to Hope need additional care, be that through veterinary treatment, behaviour and training support or both.

This crisis is not ending any time soon, and we urgently need your support to not only take in these dogs but reduce their length of stay which both improves welfare and enables us to help more dogs that need us.

To stem the crisis facing stray and unwanted dogs in Caerphilly and make  much needed vital space at Hope Rescue, we are asking for just £10 to ensure no dog is left behind.

Our experienced team meets the challenges every day, providing the care, compassion, and commitment that transforms the lives of vulnerable dogs. You can also help by volunteering your time, becoming a foster care or consider adopting one of our Hope dogs.

A donation of £10 will help us to make sure that no dog gets left behind. 

OR Text HOPERESCUE to 70085 to donate £10.

Two of our lovely Caerphilly rescues Lillian and Annie with Hope Rescue Adoption Officer, Trina Hyde. 

Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from us. If you would like to donate but don’t wish to hear more from us, please text HOPERESCUENOINFO instead.