Many Tears Animal Rescue, Llaneli
By Jodie Aucamp, Talent Resourcer
This week saw our first cohort of IQUW Group Swansea Volunteers helping at Many Tears Animal Rescue in Llanelli. The charity was set up by Sylvia and Bill Vanatta in 2004 and it has grown from strength to strength ever since. They had both run rescues previously and have witnessed a lot of heart-breaking situations and shed many tears over animals in horrible situations, hence the name ‘Many Tears’ Animal Rescue. The charity is a unique rescue in that it primarily takes in ex-breeding dogs. These dogs often have had no life experience of the outside world and do not know how to be a typical pet dog.
When we arrived at the centre, we were given the opportunity to walk around and meet some of the existing dogs. However, shortly after our arrival, a van arrived with around 50 ex-breeding dogs and puppies that have been rescued from Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, during Lockdown, many people have seen an easy opportunity to make money by breeding and selling puppies. Due to current economic pressures, these puppies have failed to sell, so they have been abandoned. In addition, as there is no longer money in breeding, the older breeding dogs are now being abandoned too. Luckily for these arrivals, many tears have opened their doors and will help provide them with a safe and loving environment whilst they wait to find their forever homes.
We immediately set to work to help the new arrivals settle in by spending time playing and socialising. They were all extremely nervous as had just spent 24 hours traveling in a van, so the relaxed socialisation was well needed! We then spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning out the very smelly dirty van. These tasks included removing and disposing of old bedding and a thorough deep clean of the van. We then filled the van with new bedding and clean water bowls ready for it to make another long journey to rescue more dogs and puppies from Northern Ireland. It’s safe to say this task wasn’t the most glamourous but we all had a huge sense of accomplishment afterwards.
Today was such an incredible experience, not only meeting the dogs but experiencing the hard work that goes on behind the scenes at UK animal shelters.
