It’s our 18th Birthday … a letter from our founder.

Your help is needed right now to continue saving the lives of homeless and abandoned dogs and cats.

Hello,

This July marks Rain Rescue’s 18th birthday and I wanted to mark this significant milestone by reflecting on our many achievements (Did you know that Rain Rescue was just awarded the PetPlan and ADCH award for Animal Charity Team of the Year 2020?!), recognising our struggles, saying thank you for your support and ask if you will ensure Rain Rescue can be there for 18 more years and beyond. 

It was back in 2002 when I saved my first dog from the local stray pound, and Rain Rescue was born. I have seen so much cruelty and heartbreak during those years and every day poses a new challenge. Every day there is another desperate animal needing our help. I have also seen the growth of an amazing charity that started as a one woman rescue into a still small but mighty team of passionate people doing all they can to save as many as they can. I have seen the joy of adopted pets as they head to loving homes. I have seen families become complete with the addition of a beloved pet.

Albert pictured in this letter was just one of the thousands of animals I have seen come and go through our gates, he arrived on a cold winter’s evening from the stray pound, skinny, and grey – to see an elderly dog homeless and alone in a kennel never gets any easier. We just received the second photo of him two and a half years later, he’s now cherished in a loving home and although even greyer than before he’s a happy soul.

2020 has been Rain Rescue’s toughest year yet. The Coronavirus pandemic turned everything the charity does on its head. No adoptions were allowed. No fundraising events could be held. Did this mean no more rescue? With the daunting prospect of having to close becoming a more and more likely reality, we had to dig deep and find the strength and resilience needed to survive. Throughout Spring our supporters have been our lifeline, but the struggle is far from over.

We’ve found new ways of working and in the last 3 months saved over 80 animals, including many mum cats and kittens from the streets, dogs and cats from owners who have passed from COVID-19 as well as 9 ex racing Greyhounds. As lockdown is lifted we expect there will be huge numbers of animals in need, people will undoubtedly be facing so many personal hardships such as job losses and evictions.

It’s so important to ensure Yorkshire’s homeless dogs and cats always have somewhere to turn in their time of need. Your support is needed to ensure Rain Rescue can continue to be there for the most vulnerable animals in our community long into the future.

Will you help Rain Rescue survive?

£50  could keep an abandoned animal safe, warm and sheltered for 5 nights.

£25  could feed a rescue dog for a whole month.

£10  could buy each cat their own bed and scratching post.

Whatever amount you chose to donate, know that your gift is making a huge difference to homeless animals.

Please send your best gift now at www.rainrescue.co.uk/donate to give online so Rain Rescue can keep saving lives long into the future or you can give from your mobile by texting ‘BARK2/3/5/10’ to 70500 – texts cost your donation amount plus your standard network charge. Always ask the bill payers permission.

We really couldn’t do any of this without YOU! Thank you!

Best Wishes,

J.Neilson

Jacquie Neilson,  Founder

jacquie@rainrescue.co.uk