31/12/2024
As 2024 comes to a close, I have begun to look back on the year! Yes its a long speech sorry 🙂
This year was an awful year on so many levels... and I will be truly glad to say f**k off to it.....like a roller coaster ride, I have had to hang on and scream my way through the world of rescue, and can only hope that 2025 is better, and kinder.
Every year the number of dogs that I save increases and the facilities are expanded. Sadly though, no matter how many kennels I build it is never enough. This year the cat barn, p***y palace (kittens) and puppy areas have been added.
2024 brought idiots to the pages that took over, and sadly I never got them back. I am slowly rebuilding the pages, and like a phoenix I rose up, and faced the challenges head on.
I have cried more this year than I ever have in my life, and contemplated giving up the rescue more than ever before. Every year it gets harder, I'm sure this is due to me getting older, but surely life is not supposed to be this exhausting and hard. The cost of living crisis has hit everyone hard meaning donations are less, but support is still strong which is great ❤️
There has been some incredible fundraising efforts this year, and the addition of the Golden Paws family has really helped, alongside the Winter Walk which was a huge success. Thank you to everyone that does some form of donating, whether that be through the pages, bank, or your own fundraiser. YOU help to keep the rescue afloat.
In 2024 I lost people off the UK team that I thought were friends, that claimed that they had my back no matter what. I learnt that hard lesson yet again, that so many people in rescue forget why we do this, and when it gets tough, the mud starts being thrown, and I get hurt. Thankfully my core team/friends remain, and I could not imagine doing this without them by my side.
I paid a staggering 52,500 euros to the vets ... worth every cent for the incredible job they do. 35,800 euros went out in feed bills to keep everyone's tummies full. 78,000 euros went on costs relating to transporting the dogs to the UK. all only possible because of the amazing support the rescue receives.
With the help of my UK team we rehomed 327 dogs which is amazing
We had our fourth Dogfest, which was incredible and only possible due to the hard work of one lady. Dogfest 2025 has been set.... so dont miss it!
I have gained some incredible supporters this year. I am not going to name individuals as I always forget someone 😉 but thank you ALL
THANK YOU:
To the businesses that continue to support what I do, I say it over and over, but without you I could not achieve what I do.
To my volunteers in the shop, you guys hold that place together, and raise money to ensure that we continue saving lives.
To the transporters who ensure that the dogs get safely from here to the UK, and spend 31 hours bobbing around on the sea... I would rather stick pins in my eyes than do that journey!
To the people that go into my charity shop and buy things, and the people that see our tins and pop money into them
To the people that give the dogs homes, without you they have no hope
To the pounds, police, vets and dog catchers that I work with day in day out. Every single person plays a part in saving dogs.
To the people on FB that share our posts, sharing really does help, and does get dogs homes.
As I move into 2025 I have the confidence that my charity will continue to grow, and make a difference to so many lives. All I ask for is that if you don't like me, fair enough but step back, and allow me to get on with saving animals and changing lives.
I always knew it would not be easy doing this...... but I also knew it would be worth it..... Everyone can make a difference, together we can save more lives, so if you are with me, then hang on tight as we see what 2025 brings.