My husband and I made a big decision to have a pet and after much thought decided we could make a difference to a rescue dog who needed help and the love of a secure home. We did a lot of research and came across a registered small none profit charity called Penny's Ark whose founders and supporters provide a lifeline to little lives who have been abandoned, abused, or forgotten.
As we scrolled the information of this charity I cried, I looked into the eyes of the dogs looking for help and could see their soul reaching out just for the basics of life - food, shelter and love ..but I could also see how scared they were .
The charity was started by Lindsey Church who after looking for a rescue animal knew she had to make a difference and is making a difference.
What really made an impression about this charity was its commitment to the animals in the Uk, Romania, Bulgaria and the work its provides with its small network of volunteers who offer a lifeline to all animals who have been abandoned, abused, or forgotten no matter what country they are from.
Every day, their team of compassionate volunteers work tirelessly to rehabilitate and rehome/foster these wonderful animals. Their mission is simple yet profound: to strive to create a world where EVERY animal is cherished, respected, and loved.
Every animal they save is lovingly brought back to health and after extensive matching given to a home who can support their needs to create a joyful peaceful life.
I thought about the journey Lindsey and her team had gone through and the sights they must be seeing day in and day out but still they challenge the right to life for every animal I felt so humbled and thought about what small contribution I could make.
I’m sure we are all aware that when a war breaks out it is the people and animals who are killed, maimed, and displaced. It is vital that we all do something.
We applied and after a rigorous stream of interviews have Matty a lovely dog from Romania who will be loved and cherished everyday, we are so grateful that we could give him a forever home and so grateful to Pennys Ark.
My husband and I went out for lunch and I looked at the cost its was £51 ..I thought about the journey Matty had just to get him to safety and the rehabilitation. The cost of housing and rehabilitation can vary between £50 and £350 per month for this charity depending on every animals needs and I said to my husband lets leave lunch and donate the £50 to Pennys Ark which we did.
I then thought if we could ask for you all for support through GoFundMe for the donation of the cost of one takeaway or lunch e.g. sandwich more animals could be secure during their journey, and that's why I am asking you for help.
Every dog and cat has a story - a story we don’t always know. The charity is only involved in the latter part of it.
Most of the rescues are found either out on the street or have been saved them from an overseas kill shelter. However, each animal has still had different experiences wherever they have been found.
The experienced shelter staff assess each animal on how they respond to different stimuli to see what and how much rehabilitation they need .The journey of a rescue dog often begins with medical treatment. The costs associated with medical treatments depend on the overall health state of the dog. Routine consultations and vaccinations can cost around £27 to £54.75. More severe cases, such as orthopaedic surgeries abroad, can add up to thousands of pounds. Once the dog's health is stabilised, the next step is rest and rehabilitation. This involves building the confidence of frightened animals, teaching them how to behave using positive training techniques, and showing them how good life can be. The cost of housing and the rehabilitation can vary greatly depending on the needs of each individual dog. Feeding and care are also significant expenses. The cost of food has risen by record amounts, with some brands up by more than a third in the last few months. Rescue organisations like Pennys Ark need to ensure that dogs are well-fed and taken care of throughout their stay at the shelter. Running out of these funds is one of their greatest fears. Traveling from overseas to the UK also involves significant costs . A pet passport, which includes microchipping, rabies vaccination, a health certificate, additional vaccinations if required, and parasite control . All animals are tested for diseases before they travel. The transport and fuel costs involved in bringing the dog from Romania to its new home in the UK are high. Once in the UK, life for a rescue dog changes dramatically. In contrast to the harsh conditions on the streets of Europe, pet dogs in the UK live much more comfortable lives. They have warm beds, regular meals, and most importantly - love. They are part of families and are cared for in ways that would be unimaginable for a street dog in Europe. The rewards are incredible. Once a street dog loves you, they really love you, so the charity are incredibly careful when considering a new home. They carry out house checks and interviews because they want a happy ever after for the whole family, not just the dog. As a very small charity, they aim to find foster homes for animals before they travel. They support all foster homes as much possible including access to a behavioural expert. The work of Penny's Ark volunteers doesn't end once a dog has been adopted. They continue to raise awareness about the plight of street dogs in the U.K. and Europe and fundraise to cover the costs of rescue operations. Every donation helps cover these costs and gives another dog a chance at a better life.
Your donation will make a significant difference to a little life.
for more info
Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of Penny's Ark and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.
More information about Penny's Ark: For the benefit of the public to relieve the suffering of animals in need of care and attention in Europe and the UK and, in particular through the rehabilitation of rescue animals, to provide and maintain rescue homes, or other facilities for the reception, care and treatment of such animals. We aim to assist with the overpopulation of local U.K. shelters and where animals are being turned away. We rescue, spay/neuter, rehabilitate and rehome animals from our kennels.
