Help Appledown to rescue and rehome dogs in need

Appledown Rescue & Rehoming Kennels have been taking in stray dogs from the surrounding area for nearly 20 years and provides them with food, shelter, medical help, care and love until the right new owner can be found.

They always have 50- 60 dogs in their care, and with dog abandonment, neglect and sadly abuse on the rise, everyday costs but especially vet costs, are several thousand pounds each month.

The rescue raise most of their funds through auctions, dog shows and tombola stalls. The money raised is used to ensure that every dog is given the best chance. Appledown never put a dog to sleep unless for medical or psychological reasons, which means that any dog suitable for adoption, has a home for as long as it takes for the right new owner to find them.

The hardworking volunteer, fundraising team, ensure that Appledown can take on cases that some rescues simply would not, and the cost of the medical work never decides the fate of a dog.

However, with the majority of money raised going to vet bills and to keep the dogs fed and warm, the rescue, after 20 years is in need of some TLC.

The rescue need a new building, somewhere the vet visits can be done, plus bandaging etc, including a recovery space or two for after operations. The current area has become old and rickety and is no longer a pleasurable or calming environment for dogs or humans.

Food, bedding, newspapers & other essentials, are all offered to the charity on a daily basis, by fantastic donors, both company and individuals.

BUT the rescue is now at a stage, where storage means they are having to turn items away. Existing storage has become out of date, leaky & just too small in general for the number of cases now coming though the door. The whole storage area need a complete overhaul & to enable this fantastic rescue to continue, it needs it soon.

We have had a number of quotations from local trades people & the work required including concrete bases (to make areas rodent proof) we estimate the costs to be £30,000. We aim to raise £10,000 from an online auction this year & hope that crowdfunding will help us raise a further £20,000.

Your help, will ensure that Appledown can save the lives of more dogs in the following years.