Lincolnshire organisation set to continue rescue work during pandemic thanks to emergency funding from Kennel Club Charitable Trust

Three Counties Dog Rescue, based in Bourne, Lincolnshire has benefited from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust’s (KCCT) recently-launched emergency fund, and is continuing its work respite the pandemic.  

Active since 1972, the Three Counties Dog Rescue saved more than 230 dogs last year, including stray, unwanted and abused dogs. The charity covers all kennelling and veterinary fees, and continues to pay for vet care for dogs that are in foster care before they find a forever home.

Mia is just one of hundreds of dogs that the rescue nursed back to health and continue to care for. She came into their care in November 2016 and has been living in a foster home since April 2017 - after receiving numerous operations and treatments paid for by Three Counties Dog Rescue including surgery for an eye ulcer which made her almost blind, and continuous treatment for her chronic skin condition.

Like other smaller organisations, Three Countries Dog Rescue is largely dependent on donations and fundraising activities. The rescue stopped all rehoming activity in early March and is only now restarting their operations on an appointment basis. Their charity shop closed its doors in March too, only recently re-opening with limited capacity.

Despite the dire financial prospects, the rescue continues to take care of their dogs and covers fees for any urgent veterinary care. The funds received from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust emergency initiative will help the rescue organisation cover some of those medical costs.

Gyll Mauchline, head of Three Counties Dog Rescue commented: “We are very grateful for the funding from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust because it will help us cover the most pressing veterinary needs of our dogs. Lot of dogs come to our care in appallingly poor health, including terminal or chronic conditions, as well as problems caused by neglect, and we invest time, care and money into making them into healthy and happy dogs again.”

The KCCT Emergency Relief Initiative, which was established in April, was set up to support canine organisations which may be suffering and unable to continue their vital work, which makes a huge difference to dogs, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. All of the applications were considered carefully and funding was allocated to 30 organisations in the most urgent situation.

Other recipients of funds from the KCCT include breed rescue organisations such as the Northern Ireland Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club and Greyhound Rescue, as well as other general smaller dog rescue organisations, such as Friends of Animals Wales - the charity from which Boris Johnson rehomed Dilyn, the Jack Russell Terrier.

Revd. Bill King, Chairman of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust said: “We received a significant number of applications for our emergency funding and had to make some very hard decisions on where funds need to be placed as a matter of urgency.

“Keeping these organisations, which take care of health, welfare and future of dogs from all breeds and backgrounds, functional is a priority for the Kennel Club Charitable Trust. We know that most of smaller organisations depend on funding to keep up their excellent work that save dogs’ lives and want to ensure they can continue despite the pandemic.

“We are also grateful for Our Dogs newspaper’s help with our appeal which helped to grow awareness about our fund amongst their readers who have so far donated over £40,000.”

To donate online to the KCCT relief fund and help dogs, volunteers and organisations across the country during this difficult time, visit the Virgin Money Giving website. Alternatively, you can make a donation by text. Simply text ‘KCCT [amount]’ to 70450 to donate the desired amount. For example, if you wish to donate £30, simply text ‘KCCT 30’ to 70450. You will be charged your donation plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about the work of the KCCT and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to make a donation but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text ‘KCCTNOINFO [amount]’ to 70450.