Last Chance Hotel Animal Rescue & Rehome

The Christmas lights and decorations will soon be taken down and packed away, and here we are at the start of a new year, when many people make resolutions to improve their lives, or the lives of those around them. For Last Chance Hotel, the team's resolution is the same as ever, - to do our utmost to help any animal in need. We are lucky to have a dedicated team of fabulous volunteers, keeping the wheels of the charity in motion. Many of them have full time jobs, but their hard work for LCH is given freely, with no reward except the knowledge that they are contributing to saving the lives of dogs who would otherwise be euthanised, and finding a loving home for them. These special people, and all our amazing supporters, keep the rescue going. A huge thank you to all of you for your support, whether by donating much needed funds, attending our many events throughout the year, or simply spreading the word about our work and the dogs looking for a home to call their own.

2016 has been a difficult year in many ways for LCH, but we have also achieved much. New loving homes were found for 171 dogs, the vast majority of these came from the pounds, saved from death row. That is 171 dogs now safe, happy and with a future ahead of them. We now have a dedicated vehicle for transport. We have a shop, the Last Chance Hotel Hub Shop, recently opened, and we are looking forward to seeing it thrive. And we have gained some amazing supporters and volunteers. So we look forward to 2017 with a mixture of feelings: anticipation for what we could achieve, and apprehension for what we may encounter.

As many of you probably know, our biggest expense is our vet bill. We had some fantastic news last month when Lisa, our grants chaser, secured a hefty sum from Support Adoption for Pets to go towards reducing the balance. It would be a wonderful start to the year if we could clear it completely. If you would like to help us achieve this goal, we would be extremely grateful, as always.

All the best from Team LCH for 2017; here's hoping it's a year to remember, for all the right reasons.

New Arrivals

Despite a surge in local dogs needing help and a shortage of foster homes, Last Chance Hotel took in several dogs from the pounds, - some sad cases of neglect, and needing all the help they could get. Saffy and Coco are two middle aged ladies who need surgery due to mammary tumours, and we will do all we can to keep them safe and happy. Jess, Mr Pickles, Alfie and Georgie are now in foster, and Georgie is ready for adoption. Lola, Trigger, and Ozzy are private rehomes looking for their forever sofa. Dexter is in need of a foster home.
Dogs were not the only animals to come into the rescue in December. Several rats arrived and one gave birth to 9 babies on the 7th. All are doing well and will be looking for homes in the New Year.

If you would like to follow the progress of all the incomers, check out our Facebook page and website lastchancehotel.org. We now have a special section for dogs under assessment; dogs are constantly being assessed in their foster homes and information changes regularly.

From Top Left, clockwise - Georgie, Dexter, Ozzy, Alfie and Saffy

Still Waiting

For some dogs, it can take a bit longer than average for that special person to come along and whisk them away to their forever sofa. Perhaps they need a home where they are the only dog, or maybe they can't live with cats or other small animals. They may need someone who can get the best out of them, or be at home most of the day for company. Sometimes it is because they are elderly, and need someone who loves and understands old dogs.

This is the lovely George. He is an older, stocky, dumpy little staffy who loves to be with people. He is approximately 13 years old, he’s not cat tested but doesn't really show an interest in much. He loves his balls and kong and is really good on the lead. He is neutered and up to date with his vaccinations. A lovely calm home for George would be fantastic in his twilight years and somewhere he can just chill for the rest of his life. He would probably enjoy being an only dog.

If you think you, or someone you know, could be that special someone for George, please go to our website lastchancehotel.org or contact one of the team by email info@lastchancehotel.org

Happy Departures to New Homes

Do you remember Josie, the Mastiff cross, who had been waiting months and months for her special someone to come along? We have the happiest news, - Josie is now enjoying a new life in Orkney, - yes, that’s right, - Scotland! She is with someone who understands her needs and can accept her quirks and foibles. Sam and Jo made the 1500 mile round trip to take her there, and the photos here show her settling in and enjoying her home. We couldn't be happier for her. Way to go Josie!

Christmas was a happy time for several other pooches. Gracie, Ollie and Archie, Cool Beanz and Penny had all trotted off to their forever homes. Harry was a “failed foster”, - his fosterer couldn't resist his charms, - and Monty, Marley and Barney had a lot of interest and joined their new families after the festive season had ended. What a fantastic start to 2017 for these lucky dogs, now in safe and loving homes.

Did you know?

Fundraising plays a vital role in any charity, and Last Chance Hotel is no exception. Without the support of kind, generous, hard working, imaginative and sometimes adventurous people, we would not be able to save as many animals as we do. There are some fabulous people out there who sometimes do crazy things to raise funds for us. We have a JustGiving page where you can donate direct to the charity or sponsor a specific fundraiser. At Christmas, Glynn Hopkinson took the plunge into the sea at St Ives, swimming in the Boxing Day event, shaking off the festive excesses and raising funds at the same time, - thank you Glynn! Currently we have Phillip Hyden who has promised to shave his waist length hair off once his fundraising target of £1500 is reached. He is now 81% there, and these donations have already gone directly to help the dogs. It will be an awesome head shave; if you would like to donate to his fundraiser to get those locks lopped, please go to his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Phillip-Hyden .

Our Grand Opening!

The Last Chance Hotel Hub Shop opened its doors on Saturday 3rd December, and we were overwhelmed at the support shown to our new project to raise funds for the charity. The shop was busy and there was such a friendly buzz all day. Natasha Long, the manager, and the volunteers were amazing and many of the customers brought their pooches along to say hello, browse and donate. The Hub Shop is no ordinary charity shop; it is also an information, advice and support centre for all pet related issues. There are new and preloved items for sale, and tea or coffee and cake on offer in exchange for a donation. Do drop in and have a browse and a chat! The Hub Shop is located at 83 Fore Street Redruth, and is open Monday to Saturday 10am until 4pm. Donations of stock are gladly welcomed (how about those unwanted Christmas presents?) as are volunteers to man (or woman!) the shop. Please contact Natasha on 01209 315547 if you can help. Pictured here are some of the volunteers who are helping out; grateful thanks to Roz, Sal, Carol, Gail, and Jess. Also to Natasha Ridgment and Phil Chapman who helped out just before Christmas and got into the spirit of the festive season!

December Fundraisers and a very Special Lady called Kate

Kate Bridgeman, our amazing Facebook Auction Lady, has done it again! Kate has raised a massive £1803 for Last Chance Hotel from the Christmas Auction. This is no mean feat for anyone, but for Kate, it has been an enormous challenge, because she is very poorly at the moment with five brain tumours which are severely affecting her health and wellbeing. That she has continued to run this auction in the face of escalating side effects is a testament to Kate's devotion to animals, she is a true advocate, and a beautiful lady. Kate is now retiring from running the auctions, on the advice of her consultant; she needs to concentrate on her own health, and about time too! As Sam, our founder, says "It takes a special kind of person who thinks about her fellow creatures above her own health, but I understand why.... and I understand the heartbreak she must feel stepping away from helping." We cannot express our gratitude enough to this amazing lady, and send her all our love, from Sam and the whole team and every soul past, present and future that she has helped and will help.

The Christmas Fayre at Crofthandy Village Hall attracted many supporters, who dropped in for a cuppa, cake and browse around. Another good event that helped raise much needed funds, and several dogs were adopted that day, so a brilliant bonus! Thanks to all the people that came along, and our great team of volunteers for making it a successful day.

The festive spirit was in full flow at Knightswood Stud and Equestrian Centre on the 18th December. A fantastic turnout of riders, and wonderful costumes. Our grateful thanks to Becca Sampson for organising yet another show, which seem to go from strength to strength, and raising over £600 for LCH.

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.

Thank You!

Falmouth Marine Band and The Dog House

Falmouth Marine Band are great supporters of LCH, and once again we have received a lovely donation from them. Heartfelt thanks from all the team.
Huge thanks to The Dog House, Helston, for running a raffle in support of the rescue. Not only that, but these fab peeps have also organised a Shoebox Appeal for rescue dogs, to help make their Christmas extra special. What a wonderful gesture, thanks so much!

and Friends...

This year Sonia Tonkin didn't send out Christmas cards, but instead gave a lovely donation towards our vet bill in memory of her beloved Bella, who was a Last Chancer. Thank you Sonia, we truly appreciate it.

Suzanne and Jon Brooks dropped in to the Christmas Fayre to present donations that they had collected at the renewal of their wedding vows. Such a beautiful thought, thank you both so much for your generosity.

Many thanks to Ally Blossom Treglown for the donation we received this month. Another massive thank you to Teri Richards who has travelled down to our shop with another fab donation of dog stuff, for our rescues. Thank you Teri, we need all the help we can get.

Christmas Deliveries

Look a this! A whole pallet load of dog food from Naturediet.. all to be dished out to our fosterers... especially those with elderly dogs. What a fantastic gift, thank you so much!

Thank you also to Barking Heads for our Christmas present. We were day 5 of their 12 days of Christmas, nominated by our supporter Maddi.

Every little helps.... a lot!

We had an info day at Tesco Redruth just before Christmas and what a fab day it was. Thank you to everyone who popped in, said Hi and donated. Also to all the fab staff at Tesco who made us feel welcome and to Claudine and Faith who manned the stall all day with help from Sarah, Sandra and Theresa.

Rescues Revisited 

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

A Fosterers's Christmas Surprise

Carla posted this on Facebook....

What a wonderful surprise this afternoon. A lovely Christmas present from Rach Carr and her family, for all my old foster boys and girls. Betty Boo, the dog in the photo, was one of my foster girls earlier this year and she could not have gone to a better more loving family than Rach Carr. Thank you so much from Sasha, George, Odo and Bracken and I am sure Spike and Alfie will also sneak a few treats from the box. And a massive thank you from me, not only for the present, but for loving Betty Boo so very much and I know she will never ever come to any harm again with you all. Happy Christmas xxx

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 two little stories from December of that celebration of love.

Albert.

It’s my Gotcha Day. 3 years ago today I travelled many miles in volunteers cars and vans with Dennis the Menace and lots of other dogs to safety. We were all in the dog pound and due to be put to death because no one wanted us. I was worried they would take all the young'uns and leave me to die. I was so sad and tired I was just about to give up anyway. They didn't even know my name, the one I had my whole life before they kicked me out on the street, and I couldn't tell them. A lovely lady said I looked like an Albert, so Albert I became. After 12 hours travelling me and Dennis got to a house. A house! With people who cuddled us and wrapped me in a blanket and let me sleep.....I was soooo tired! I heard them say 'let's make his last few weeks comfortable' they were so convinced I was going to die. Well, love is the strongest medicine you can give, and I decided this new life as Old Albert would suit me just fine and I was going nowhere yet! 3 years later and I'm now mostly deaf and find walking tough, but I love life and greet my family with the waggiest tail every single day. Dennis the Menace found a great new home too, as did all the other dogs that day. All thanks to Last Chance Hotel Dog Rescue in Cornwall who refused to let us die that Christmas and all the transporters who gave their time to drive us all that way to safety! Thank you everyone for giving me years more to live and love and be loved.

Buddy

Today is Buddy’s Happy Gotcha day. He’s been with me now a whole year and it's been a year of laughter at his stupid dumbass ways. Ok so he was a tad younger than was first thought so has grown a tad larger than expected but he really is one amazing dog that certainly did not deserve to die in a pound. This boy allows many strange dogs in his home and not just that but welcomes them as a friend and a playmate. I couldn't wish for a kinder more loving dog than him.

Nelson, the life changer

Nelson and Jason have recently featured in their local community paper. Here is their story:
Nelson is an EBT/Staffie cross, who had a very poor start in life, having been used as a bait dog from a very young age. He suffered physical and psychological abuse. Luckily for Nelson, at 11 months old, he ended up in the care of Last Chance Hotel. Because of his health problems, Jason needed something to encourage him to get out more, and so Nelson came into his life.

It took Nelson a week to settle in to his new home, and now Jason can't imagine life without him. He says "Bull breeds are incredibly nurturing and bond very quickly with their owners. Nelson is my world and has helped me so much to get outside and cope with my problems - he gives me a reason to get up every morning. He is so friendly with people and loves saying hello and giving kisses. He's not just a dog, he's family and I love him very much".
Thanks to Jason for the story and pics of Nelson, may you have many more happy years together!

Fall in love with a dog, and in many ways you enter a new orbit, a Universe that features not just new colours, but new rituals, new rules, and a new way of experiencing attachment.
Caroline Knapp