Not everyone in Wales knows about West Wales Poundies (WWP), but sadly, like most animal rescue charities their services are over-subscribed and every penny goes towards caring for the animals who so desperately need their care.
Rescuing animals through a Fun Day Out!
While it’s rewarding to find dogs new homes, with so many dogs in need of rescue through no fault of their own, running WWP can be depressing. The volunteers have dealt with heartbreaking stories from rescue animals literally every day across the past 11 years – so they are really looking forward to running a fun festival-style event, where animal lovers can have a great day out with their children and pets and raise some much needed funds for charity at the same time.
The charity have organised WWP Barkfest! for June 10, and they are predicting an amazing family day out! The event takes place at Cothi Bridge Showground, SA32 7NA from 11am to 5pm.
The day promises doggie events galore, with dog shows, Have a go Agility, Doggie Musical Chairs (dont ask), Doggie Dash plus other doggie fun and games – but it’s not just for dogs! For the kids, there will be a bouncy castle, face painter and outdoor fun and games.
Grown-ups are not forgotten either, with BBQ and cakes, refreshments and fantastic stalls.
As you’d expect, the day would not be complete without the charity showing guests the hopeful poundies looking for their forever homes.
The serious cause behind the day
Volunteer Liz Handford explains that behind the fun day is a very serious cause that founder Lianne Evans and the team of volunteers are incredibly passionate about. She explains:
“We now have over 35 dogs in Emergency Boarding (EB). In many cases, we have to rescue dogs from 3 local dog pounds because the dogs have been there too long and would be put down. EB takes place in boarding kennels (where you would board your dogs when you go on holiday) – although it has to be in specific quarantine kennels because these dogs are often unvaccinated.
“Often people assume that charities are well off and get everything for free – I can tell you, we definitely don’t…. our volunteers donate their time free, we have no paid staff and our fantastic fundraisers work really hard but the expenses are huge. EB typically costs between £5 and £7 per night. Rehoming takes time and fosters are few, so with few rescue spaces, often EB is the only option to save a dogs life – so we are struggling…..really struggling. Our EB bills are around £1000 a week – and the vet bills can be enormous too!
“Currently we have vets bills of over £5000 because some of our poundies needed major surgery – even though local vets do what they can to help, someone has to foot the bill and while the dogs are in our care, that’s us – the adoption fees don’t even come close to covering our costs, but these dogs need homes so we keep them as low as we can.
“Things are pretty desperate, so we’re really hoping the event helps – it won’t just help us raise funds, it will raise our morale and hopefully give us the financial lifeline we desperately need to keep going.”
How YOU can help
Liz says she is often asked how people can help – and there are lots of ways to do that, even if you don’t live locally. Here’s just some ways that individuals can help support the charity:
- Follow on Facebook and share appeals for fundraising
- Volunteer – more volunteers are always welcome, whether it’s transport runs, helping care for the dogs or even just publicity for the charity!
- Share pictures and stories of rescue dogs on social media
- Come along and support the event – it will be a great, fun day and you’ll have a good time!
- Donate – The charity’s paypal is savewwp@outlook.com and their bank details are coop bank Sort code 08-92-99 Account 65773754.
- Host a coffee morning or fundraising event at your home to help raise funds
- Become a doggy foster carer and help the charity reduce their EB bills
- Adopt! The charity would far rather see their rescue dogs in proper, loving homes – so if you are thinking of paying thousands of pounds for the latest designer breeds, why not give one of the lovely rescues a chance instead? They have just as much love to give and ask nothing but food, shelter and care in return. Here’s some of the current doggies looking for forever homes.
Liz says:
“I want to send huge thanks to all who already support us. We’ve been running for 11 years now and this is our hardest year yet, but we’ve only got through with your help.
“We’ll be here for as long as we can, giving our time and care free of charge to any animal in need – we just need the funds to keep going!
Here’s hoping the fun day out helps this lovely little charity raise the funds they need to do that.