If you would prefer to read the newsletter in your browser, please click at top right

Last Chance Hotel Animal Rescue & Rehome

August, and we are now firmly into the holiday season. Carnivals, fetes, village shows and all sorts of events fill the calendar, and on the good days, the beaches are packed with holidaymakers, enjoying a break from work or studies.
Here in rescue, there is no break from the constant calls for help: calls from pound pullers, other rescues and private individuals. Rescue is having a very hard time right now, on a national and local level. So hard, that one small but amazing rescue that we know of, based in Essex, is facing total closure due to lack of funds to pay their vet bill and kennel fees. A heartbreaking situation for the dedicated people who have put so much blood sweat and tears into helping defenceless animals, and we hope that somehow they survive.
The number of dogs coming in needing veterinary treatment has increased dramatically recently. There are many reasons for this; they all involve human beings, the previous keepers of these animals, and more often than not the facts would not make happy reading. We have seen so many older dogs abandoned this year, tossed aside to make room for a younger one, or because they are costing too much to keep. Do we turn away from them? No, because we believe in giving them the chance of a happy, comfortable life, for as long as they need us. Unfortunately we don't have unlimited funds, no one on the team has won the lottery yet, so we depend on our supporters for donations, fundraising projects and our own events to help pay the ever increasing vet bills.
And yet, if every dog lover in the UK gave just £2 a month (the price of a cup of coffee), to a small local rescue, those rescues could breathe a sigh of relief. The small rescues don't have the huge overheads and enormous salaries of the well known national ones. No one gets paid in a small rescue, often the reverse is true and the dedicated people running them plough every penny of their day job into keeping dogs safe and well cared for. Small rescues need local support to keep them afloat, so that they can continue to step up for and protect dogs on death row.
Forgo that cup of coffee, and help a rescue near you!

New Arrivals

More than a dozen new arrivals in July, so it’s difficult to choose which ones to showcase here. Some from the pounds, some from other trusted rescues, and some from home situations. All of them needing a gentle hand, patience and understanding. Cherry Blossom is waiting for a foster home, someone who is experienced with large breeds; Ruby is rubbing shoulders with the gang at HQ, and Poppy the Pug cross is in foster, under assessment. Maggie the lab would like a comfy forever sofa to curl up on, - she is currently in emergency boarding kennels, but has been assessed and is ready for adoption. Olive the SBT needs a very special foster someone who will be willing to take her to our vets as she is under medical assessment for tumours and wobbly back legs.

From Top Left, clockwise - Olive, Maggie, Ruby, Poppy, and Cherry Blossom

These are just a few of the incomers for last month. If you would like to follow their progress, and find out more about all the others, please check out our Facebook page and website lastchancehotel.org. We now have a news section on the Home page; dogs are constantly being assessed in their foster homes and information changes regularly.

Still Waiting

Barney and Bailey are a bonded pair, two handsome chaps who are looking for a new home through no fault of their own.
Their current keeper has this to say about them: “Barney and Bailey are both neutered and chipped, house trained and very well behaved. They are high energy dogs so need plenty of exercise. They do pull on the lead at times. Barney the Retriever is great off the lead but Bailey the Beagle can't be trusted, he will follow that nose anywhere!! They are inexperienced with cats. They have very adaptable happy go lucky personalities. Beautiful dogs in need of a beautiful family.”
If you think you, or someone you know, could be that special someone for this handsome pair, please go to our website lastchancehotel.org or contact us by email info@lastchancehotel.org

Happy Departures to New Homes

LCH has always gone the extra mile to help dogs in need, literally, as well as figuratively, and the month of July was no exception. Fleur was found wandering the streets of Glasgow, and was eventually trapped and transported to a warm, comfortable bed in Cornwall. She didn’t have to wait long before her dream home came along and now has a great life ahead of her. Bella the Mastiff X and Nugget the JRT and fell on their paws with their fosterers, who decided that they didn’t want to part with them, so joining the ever expanding LCH ‘failed fosterers club’. Cookie and Crumbs, a bonded pair, have found a great home together, and have settled in well. And happiest of all is Dinky, who has been waiting a long time for her special someone. Waggy tails and happy times ahead for all of them and their new families.

Far top: Fleur. From top left, clockwise -Bella, Cookie and Crumbs, Dinky and Nugget.

The HQ Update

We are lucky to have a fab guy called Shane working on the land for us. Shane has been tackling the forest of Ragwort that has taken over the fields. As most of you know, Ragwort is toxic to equines, so must be cleared completely, - the flowering plants and new ones growing this year, - to make the land safer for grazing for the other animals in our care. This is being done by hand, and is an immense job.

Let the pictures tell the story:

Thank you Shane, you're a star!

Now we need to keep on top of it

July Fundraisers

Becca Sampson’s Fun Horse Shows are great fundraisers for LCH and becoming more and more popular. Despite poor weather, there was a fantastic turnout for the mid July show, - over 80 entries - and as usual the emphasis was on fun for horse and rider. Massive thanks to Becca for yet another successful show, and to venue provider Lisa at Knightswood Stud and Equestrian Centre. Also to Shane for stepping in at the last minute and being the chef alongside Selena, providing sustenance for the competitors.

We have fantastic supporters and some of them come up with great ideas for fundraising, - often personal challenges. There are no limits to age when it comes to doing something for the benefit of animals in need, as shown by 10 year old Bella Stevens, who is spending her summer holidays walking the South West Coast Path in aid of LCH. Bella and her mum Kim will be walking with their Last Chancers Pepper and Milo, adopted from LCH 5 months ago. Bella has a JustGiving page,* and will also be collecting along the way. We wish Bella good luck, kind weather and not too many blisters!

* Bella’s page is under another name as she does not have a Justgiving account herself

If you would like to help LCH with a fundraising event, please contact the team with your idea on 01209 281159 or email Louisa on louisa@lastchancehotel.org.

Poet’s Corner

Though postie really is quite nice
- Can’t stop to say hello
You’ll always think he's full of vice
And tell him where to go

Thank You!

Phoenix Ladies

A huge thank you to the Phoenix Ladies. A donation was dropped into our Hub shop in July from these ladies, who raise funds for small Cornish animal charities at car boot sales.
Thank you so much for thinking of us, we truly appreciate your support.

From Rough to Smooth

Yet again a massive thank you to Kd Kelly at The Dog House Helston for giving her time and expertise to a Last Chancer. Caster the Rough Collie came in to rescue in July, and needed a makeover. She had a thorough deshedding, all the nasty matts taken out, a bath and a tidy up. What a pawsome transformation! And look at that smile!

Did you Know?

“Sit Happens” is the great name for the dog socialisation and training club, held at Crofthandy Village Hall, Crofthandy, near Redruth. Currently Sarah is running a ‘Reactive Dog’ class, in blocks of four weeks. Classes are free for fosterers of LCH dogs, and there is also a free puppy class. If you, or anyone you know, would benefit from training classes, Sarah would be happy to help you. Contact training@lastchancehotel.org or check out our Information and Events page on Facebook.

There are now regular “Meet the Team” events, the first weekend of each month, at the Pets at Home branch of Pool, with goodies for sale and sometimes cake! Come and have a chat.

Fostering
Fostering can be hard work, but it plays a vital part in the process of re homing. Without fosterers, it would be much more difficult to confidently assess a dog. They provide the all important home environment and rehabilitation process for the incomers.

End of life fostering is the hardest of all, taking an old or terminally ill dog into your home and giving him or her love and comfort, lots of cuddles and contentment in their final days. LCH is lucky to have such special people in our foster network, but we do need more, so if you are interested in this important but heartbreaking aspect of fostering, please get in touch with us at info@lastchancehotel.org, or go to our website for more information.

Rainbow Bridge

Tatty came to LCH from the dog pound in September last year, and went into foster with Louisa. Tatty was a frightened little girl, but with Louisa’s love and patience, she came out of her shell and learned how to trust again. She was adopted in January and seemed to be getting on fine, but 3 months later she was back in rescue, because she had snapped at her owners, and someone had advised them to have her put to sleep. Poor Tatty had terrible toothache, and that was why she was crotchety. She suffered a severe setback because of all this, and back in foster, with Sam this time, at HQ, she was just beginning to overcome the mental damage that had been done to her, building her confidence once again to how she was with Louisa. Sadly Tatty became ill and was diagnosed with meningitis. She suddenly deteriorated and lost her fight with this debilitating disease, making her own way to the Bridge. Tatty, you will be remembered, not just by Louisa and Sam, but by many many more of us. Run free sweet girl.

Alby was also a poundie, possibly abandoned because he was old, deaf and blind. Shirley and family gave him 10 months of bliss, - making sure he did all the things he could do, now he was out of the pound. Walking on the beach, ice cream in the sun, sunbathing on the patio, chicken for dinner, walking round the block and talking to his mates….Shirley says he was such a brave little boy and did not let the fact that he was deaf and blind spoil his fun. He was much loved and is very much missed. Thanks and hugs to Shirley and family for making Alby’s time with you so special.

Timmy arrived from the pound two and a half years ago, and found his forever home with Charlotte, quickly becoming a valued member of the family, and adding his own personality to the group. Timmy was 15, an “idiosyncratic charming gent”, and he is very much missed by his mum and all who knew him. He had a great life with Charlotte, and in return gave two and a half years of companionship and devotion. Run with the hounds now Timmy.

Rescues Revisited 

This is what Last Chance Hotel is all about....... 

Here are a couple of photos of Baxter, who is a big part of the family now. Thanks to all those that gave Baxter the chance of a fresh start with his best mate Peanut. JM

Beanz just won Best Rescue and got 3rd for Dog the judge wants to take home. In my opinion he should have had 1st for everything. 😉 He looks so pleased with himself. CD

Happy Gotcha Day!

“Gotcha Day” is the name given to the day a lucky hound first came into his or her forever home. Here are a few tributes from July of that celebration of love.

Claude

12 months ago today this little soul came to us as a foster, - starved, abused and jumped at his own shadow and we couldn't let him go as we loved him so much. He now has rule of the HJ household and that's how it should be. JHJ

Dave

Happy happy Gotcha Day Dave, 12 months later and you're in a darn sight better state than you were, my special boy. SVDG

Tyler

One year ago today, our first foster dog, Tyler went off to his forever home. We have been on quite an adventure with LCH since, but all good! AR

The Last Chance Hotel Hub Shop

The Hub Shop is situated at 83 Fore Street, Redruth, almost opposite Wilko’s, and open 10am - 4pm Monday to Saturday. Lots of new and preloved goods on sale and hot drinks in exchange for a donation. Pop in for advice about animal related issues, and a browse around! Our 'Sale' days have been very popular.

Volunteers to help man (or woman!) the shop are warmly welcomed, - just a couple of hours a week will help enormously. Please contact the shop on 01209 315547, or drop in for a chat.

Dates for your Diary

Don’t miss the Last Chance Hotel

Autumn Fayre and Dog Show
Sunday 1st October 10am-4pm

Crofthandy Village Hall Nr St Day Redruth TR16 5JQ

Stalls, Tombola, Raffle, Games, Cake and Refreshments. Dog Show under cover in the marquee thanks to Absolute Canvas of Falmouth

Check out our website soon for details of classes and times

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.

Dalai Lama