our mission

Rain Rescue was formed to help pets in crisis, those cats and dogs with nowhere else to turn. Our vision is to see no dog or cat abandoned, mistreated or neglected in our local area. 

 

Founded in 2002, our charity has saved the lives of thousands of the cats and dogs most at risk in and around Yorkshire. Rescuing hundreds of animals a year, our rescue centre provides the space and support needed for these abandoned animals to recover, thrive and find a loving home. 

We see the beautiful animal that is sometimes hidden under layers of pain and neglect, and match them with the owners they deserve. Our focus is on the cats and dogs that most need our help, including:

  • dogs in stray kennels who are due to be put down when their statutory seven days of care run out
  • abandoned cats who have been left alone or thrown out onto the street with nobody to care for them

When you adopt from Rain Rescue, you don’t just change your new pet’s life, you add to your family and make it possible for us to help another in need.

 

 


Our Founder, Jacquie, made a promise to help as many pets in need as she could after seeing the conditions homeless dogs had to endure in council stray kennels, and knowing they could be put to sleep after receiving their statutory days of care. And so, in 2002 she established the volunteer group Rotherham Animals In Need.

From 3 cattery rooms and using boarding kennels, the charity has grown and adapted to help where it is needed most. In 2006 Rotherham Animals In Need became Rescuing Animals In Need, or Rain Rescue as it is known today, and registered as a charity.

In 2013 Jacquie was voted onto the board of elected officers and committee of the Association Of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH), where she helped shape national strategies for animal rescues. Rain Rescue remains a full member of the ADCH, proudly upholding their high standards in animal welfare. 

Although it’s grown, Rain Rescue remains a small, local charity. Our rescue centre has a cattery, kennels, exercise field, vet room and socialisation space, and is supported by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Thanks to you, we are able to save the lives of hundreds of vulnerable cats and dogs each year.


 

But it doesn’t stop there…

As well as continuing to save homeless and abandoned cats and dogs, Rain Rescue also helps pet owners facing crisis who need to rehome their much loved family pet, and reaches out into the community with projects such as Snip & Chip.

We’ve come so far but still have a way to go as we face site and kennel improvements to make our facilities more resilient and extend our reach to help even more pets in need.

As the rescue has changed, Jacquie continues to keep her original promise. With your support it’s a promise Rain Rescue can continue to make long into the future, so every cat, dog and pet owner has somewhere to turn when they need it most.

 

 

Here is a short video summarising some of our achievements over the years.

1. Our Vision

Our VISION is a future where all pets live in a responsible and caring home and that Rain Rescue are recognised as a high quality provider of animal welfare and community services to achieve that goal.

2. Our Mission

Is to:

  • Reduce the number of unwanted or homeless pets in the U.K by providing a safe rescue space to recover, receive treatment and find a home.
  • Reduce the number of animals entering the animal welfare system through neutering, campaigning for change; education and the promotion of responsible ownership and by supporting owners to keep their pets
  • Promote the benefits of neutering and where necessary financially assist owners to neuter and microchip their cats.  
  • Reduce the overpopulation of stray cats by neutering and returning true feral cats to their locations.  
  • Helping abandoned street cats by identifying those that are not feral and are just dumped cats with no owner living rough.  Providing veterinary care, neutering and finding them new homes. 

3. Our Core Values

Rain Rescue are guided in our work by the following core values:

Quality of care 

We seek to provide our animals with the best quality of care available within our resources. We aim to ensure each animal has their emotional and physical wellbeing met through; a suitable environment; a suitable diet; providing the ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns; and protecting them from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

Finding the right home for the right animal

Each animal is assessed, and each adopter evaluated on their individual circumstances to ensure we find the right match. We aim to avoid blanket rehoming policies and look at each individual match for suitability and to ensure a flexible approach to achieve a long-term adoption. 

Compassion for both animals and people

We show compassion for both the animals in our care and the people we deal with whatever their circumstances for using our services.

Integrity 

We do not discriminate against the animals we help based on their breed, age or medical condition. No adoptable animal is unnecessarily euthanised due to space or time constraints.

Respect and Value

We respect and value our staff, volunteers, partners and supporters.

Strategic approach

We do not just deal with the problems caused by poor animal welfare, but actively seek to tackle the root causes and work towards being part of the solution. 

Transparency and accountability

We strive to work in a way that is open, honest, and transparent and is accountable to our stakeholders.