Greater Manchester’s leading dog rescue centre, Dogs4Rescue, has published an emotional plea for dog lovers to help secure a second site – guaranteeing a home for the alarming numbers of unwanted canines across the country.
The kennel-free dog rescue needs £550,000 by Friday (11 September) to purchase land for a brand new centre – which has already attracted high interest from property developers.
If successfully acquired, the charity will transform the rural area into a 40-acre world-class Dog Rehabilitation Retreat and Sanctuary – giving unwanted, abandoned and abused dogs a home on the outskirts of Greater Manchester.
It is predicted that as many as 40,000 dogs will enter the UK rescue system due to the ‘lockdown puppy boom’; meaning Dogs4Rescue are set to be inundated with new arrivals.
Emma Billington, founder of Dogs4Rescue, said: “We have proven the kennel-free dog rescue model works having successfully rehomed almost 1,500 dogs in the last seven years.
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“By happy coincidence we have also discovered the dogs living together as pack creates an amazing window for rehabilitation, the kind of which traditional kennel-based dog rescues cannot offer.
“We have 16 permanent sanctuary dogs here who provide a backbone of stability to our pack and are fantastic at helping rehabilitate other shut down and frightened dogs.”
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During lockdown, Dogs4Rescue took in dogs stuck inside the kennel system, as well as pooches considered to be more ‘problematic’.
But with such a high volume of dogs requiring a special environment, Emma has said that the current Dogs4Rescue centre is nearing capacity and “cannot take any more difficult cases”.
“Every day we have to turn down beautiful innocent souls who I know we could help, if we only had a second centre,” Emma commented.
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“It’s our goal to save as many dogs as possible during our lifetime, and for that to become a legacy as we teach more people how to work with difficult dogs who just need a little more time, love and patience.
“We’re leading the way with our kennel-free rescue and the second site will help that legacy touch the rescue industry to change for the better.
“Donations will be a gift to all the dogs that no-one wants now, during our lifetimes and a lasting legacy into the future.”
Every penny makes a difference here. To help Dogs4Rescue secure an essential second home, please donate whatever you can via their JustGiving page.
For large donations or offers of corporate support, email Emma at [email protected] or ring 07412361769.
Twitter and Insta: @dogs4rescue
News
Police appeal after teenage girl reports being sexually assaulted in a Stretford park
Emily Sergeant
An urgent appeal for information has been issued after a teenage girl reported being sexually assaulted in a park in Stretford.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers attended Victoria Park, in the Stretford area, earlier this week on Tuesday night (21 July) following reports that a teenage girl had been sexually assaulted.
The incident is reported to have happened between 5:30pm and 5:44pm, and the offender is described to be an older white male of a large build who was wearing a black t-shirt.
No arrests have been made at this time, GMP confirmed, and enquiries are ongoing.
As police continue their investigation at pace, a public appeal for information has been issued in the hopes that someone can come forward and provide the details needed to track down the offender.
“Detectives are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry and the victim is being fully supported by specially trained officers,” explained Detective Superintendent Suzanne Keenaghan, from GMP’s Trafford district.
“There will be an increased police presence in and around Victoria Park while officers continue their investigation and provide reassurance to the local community.”
Police say they are ‘particularly keen’ to hear from anyone who was in the park at the time, or who may have CCTV, doorbell, mobile phone or dashcam footage from the area.
Anyone with information can speak to police officers at the scene, call 101, or contact GMP via LiveChat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3029 of 21/07/26.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues to be slashed by 20% next year
Emily Sergeant
Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues across England are set to be slashed by 20% next year.
Continuing on with his week of, seemingly, introducing a new measure a day amid the cost of living crisis, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has now announced that he has taken action to cut business rates for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues across England from April next year.
It’s expected that these new business rate cuts will benefit nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues, saving the typical pub an estimated £1,100 in the next financial year.
“For too long, the pubs, social clubs, and live music venues that form the backbone of local high streets have been replaced by boarded up windows and for sale signs,” the Government said in a statement as the cuts were announced today.
Andy Burnham is slashing business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues by 20% next year / Credit: John Arano (via Unsplash) | Wikimedia Commons
These changes are set to be fully funded by the Government – including through reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops for example.
The Government says it also plans to crack down on businesses that sell through online marketplaces but do not comply with their tax obligations, which therefore puts them at an unfair advantage over businesses that do play by the rules.
I’m giving thousands of pubs, clubs and music venues a 20% cut in business rates.
I won’t stand by while these cherished local spaces disappear, replaced by boarded-up windows and ‘For Sale’ signs.
They’re the heart of our communities and it’s time we backed them.
“Pubs, clubs and live music venues are at the heart of communities across the UK,” explained Chancellor John Healey. “They help make a place what we love. They bring people together, support local jobs and help keep high streets, and town centres busy, which is why we will back them all the way.
“We are determined to bring hope back, give businesses the support they need and generate growth in every postcode.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham added: “For too long, Governments have stood by while cherished venues have disappeared from our local high streets. So today I am changing that.
“This Government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities. I said I would protect pubs and local high streets, and that’s what we will do. What we’re announcing today is just the start as we work to bring back hope across the country.”