Hope Rescue, an independent dog welfare charity in South Wales, is busy with clean up operations following Storm Dennis.

“Sadly our charity shop and dog friendly cafe in Pontypridd was flooded,” says Amy Greenfield of Hope Rescue.

“We have had to move everything out so that the builders can strip the floor and walls to dry out and then replaster and redecorate etc.”

As with many small charities, it’s the volunteers that really make the difference. All are working tirelessly to get things ready as soon as possible.

Established in 2005, Hope Rescue steps in to offer a lifeline to stray dogs from Local Authority pounds who would otherwise be destroyed.  Their ethos is that “no-one gets left behind irrespective of age, breed or medical condition”. The chariy also takes in dogs from owners who can no longer care for them.

The charity shop is a major income stream for the charity and the longer it’s closed, the more money they lose.

“We’re not anticipating that we will be reopen again until June and for every month we are closed we lose an income stream worth around £9000,” continues Amy. “That’s a lot of money to us and a lot of dogs that can’t be helped. We’re working hard to fundraise in other areas to cover the loss of income.”

The additional worry of coronavirus has added further uncertainty to charity shops across the UK.

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