24.11,25
Because of your kindness, 52 animals rescued from cruelty and neglect have been given a second chance.
In April, we announced our deserving Pet Rescue Grant winners for 2025 after receiving 100 inspiring applications from rescues across the UK. Hope Rescue, The Bunnyjackpot Foundation, Cat Supporters South Wales and Second Chance Spaniel Rescue were chosen after a difficult selection process.
We’re excited to update you about how they’ve used the funds.
Hope Rescue use funds to help 34 ex-breeding dogs
With their £5,000 Pet Rescue Grant, Hope Rescue provided vital veterinary care to dogs rescued from a licensed breeder in Wales.
A total of 34 dogs, including pregnant females, were removed from barren and low-welfare conditions. Many were suffering from untreated medical conditions and had little experience of human contact. The Pet Rescue Grant contributed to the expert care and rehabilitation they needed to start new lives, including veterinary and neutering costs.
One of those dogs was Sabrina, a five-year-old bichon who arrived pregnant and with a heart murmur. After a difficult birth and emergency C-section, Sabrina and her surviving pup have thankfully both found loving homes. Cindy, a two-year-old Westie, and Declan, a four-year-old bichon (pictured on arrival), also received vital treatment and are now enjoying happy lives with their new families.
The Bunnyjackpot Foundation transform the lives of 11 lucky rabbits
Foster-based rescue, The Bunnyjackpot Foundation, used their grant to rehabilitate 11 rabbits, affectionately named “The Naturewatch Eleven”.
One of the 11 was Astra, a long-haired rabbit who had been sold to inexperienced owners who didn’t know how to look after his coat. When he arrived at The Bunnyjackpot Foundation, he was extremely matted. The rescue was able to give him the care he needed to get back to full health. He was also neutered and has now been rehomed with a new rabbit pal called George (pictured together).
Zeppelin and Aura also received help after they were relinquished by their previous owner. They’d been kept in tiny cages and Aura (pictured) arrived very poorly. Sadly, investigations revealed she had signs of a mass near her heart. She was also finding breathing a struggle and was underweight. The rescue had to make the difficult decision to let her go, but the grant ensured she was given the best possible chance. Happily, Zeppelin was well enough to be neutered and put up for adoption, and he has since gone on to find a forever home with two other rabbit friends.
Heather Medley, founder and CEO of The Bunnyjackpot Foundation, said “It is with huge thanks to Naturewatch Foundation that we have been able to help some rabbits in critical circumstances due to the pet trade. Without the grant, some of our rabbits who’ve found their forever homes wouldn’t be here today. Thank you for helping us be the turning point for these little lives.”
You can read about each of The Naturewatch Eleven in this wonderful update provided by the rescue.
Second Chance Spaniel Rescue use their mini-grant to help three deserving dogs
2025 is the first year we’ve awarded mini-grants to unregistered charities and community groups. We wanted to support the vital work of small, grassroots non-profits that do vital animal welfare work in their communities but can’t always easily access funding.
The first recipient of a £1,000 mini-grant was Second Chance Spaniel Rescue. They used the funds to help three female dogs, including Ginger and Patsy. This mother and daughter pair had been abandoned at a boarding kennel. Upon collection, it was clear both had been used for breeding.
Thankfully, Ginger (pictured) has now been spayed and her foster family went on to adopt her permanently. Eight-year-old Patsy hasn’t yet been spayed as she’s had some medical issues along the way. However, the rescue will arrange for her to be spayed once she’s well enough, using the funds from the mini-grant. Patsy has also found her forever home and neither dog will have to face the prospect of being forced to produce puppies again.
The volunteer team at Second Chance Spaniel Rescue said, “Thank you so much to Naturewatch Foundation and your brilliant supporters. As a small volunteer-run rescue, we work incredibly hard to help as many spaniels as we can. The Pet Rescue Grant provided vital funds for helping the dogs in our care. Spaying is an important but also costly step for eligible dogs on their rehoming journey and these funds will allow us to help as many dogs as possible.”
Cat Supporters South Wales use mini-grant to say “yes” to four cats in need
Thanks to their mini-grant, Cat Supporters South Wales were able to take in four cats they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to help. Among them was Oscar (pictured during his recovery), an unneutered stray male cat who had been suffering from a painful eye issue called entropion and two abscesses. The rescue used the grant to get him neutered and to treat his abscesses, one of which required multiple courses of antibiotics to heal. Now he’s fully recovered, he will soon go for eye surgery, too.
Sadly, kitten Clawdia (pictured) didn’t have a happy ending. She was found in a hedge at around seven weeks old with a fractured pelvis. The rescue did their very best to give her a chance. She was fostered by a vet nurse and had physio sessions and referral to a specialist. Sadly, when her condition started to deteriorate, the rescue made the decision to let her go. Thanks to the dedication and fundraising of her fosterer and contributions from the grant, Clawdia was given the best possible chance and was able to experience love in her short life.
On behalf of everyone at Naturewatch Foundation, we’d like to say a huge thank you to our supporters who make the Pet Rescue Grant possible and the organisations that work tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate dogs, cats and rabbits in need.
Applications for the Pet Rescue Grant re-open in January 2026. If you know a fantastic rescue that goes above and beyond to help dogs, cats and rabbits impacted by the pet trade, tell them to visit naturewatch.org/pet-rescue-grant and register their interest between 24th January to 14 February 2026.
(Photos kindly provided by Hope Rescue, The Bunnyjackpot Foundation, Second Chance Spaniel Rescue and Cat Supporters South Wales.)
