Category: Blog

UPDATE Feb 24th 2025

BEAR IS NOW IN HIS AMAZING NEW HOME – THANK YOU PETER @ GREENBANK ANIMAL SANCTUARY
Thank you to everyone who donated and / or shared to make this possible.

Update 14th Feb 2025

🐾 Bear’s Big Move – 8 Days to Go! 🐾

After six long years in kennels, we are absolutely thrilled to announce that Bear will be moving into his brand-new, purpose-built home in just 10 days! This is the fresh start he has waited so patiently for, and we couldn’t have done it without your incredible support.

However, due to new mandatory housing restrictions on poultry issued by APHA (Avian Influenza Prevention Zone), Greenbank Animal Sanctuary must go into full lockdown to protect the birds in their care. This means no movement on or off-site for any animals once the restrictions are in place.

Because Bear’s current kennels are located near a duck farm, he will be going into biosecurity lockdown starting tomorrow as a precaution. This ensures that he can still be moved before any control zones are enforced, which could delay or even prevent his transfer.

So while this is terrible news for the birds, it’s fantastic news for Bear—his wait is almost over! We’ll be sharing updates on his move and keeping you posted as he prepares for his new home at Greenbank Animal Sanctuary.

💛 *A huge thank you to everyone who donated, shared, and supported Build for Bear—*you made this possible! 💛

🚧 Build for Bear is still open! 🚧 If you’d like to help us finish Bear’s home and support his transition, every donation makes a difference.

🔗 Donate here: https://pennypawsrescue.org.uk/2025/01/26/buildforbear/

Stay tuned for Bear’s big moving day—he’s almost home! 🏡🐶❤️ #BuildForBear #BearIsComingHome #RescueDog #GreenbankAnimalSanctuary #PennyPaws


Update: BUILDING WORKS ARE WELL UNDERWAY! See further down for more pictures
Click here for the latest amount we have raised
Update 6th Feb:
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported and shared the Build for Bear Project so far. Building works are going well – and we have raised just over half the money. If we can just raise a bit more we can push on and get the home ready for Bear. Can we do it… Please share. Thank you.
You can see his new home coming together below. 

Bear has been waiting for his chance at happiness for far too long. Rescued from a Romanian kill shelter by PennyPaws Rescue, this brave boy was brought to the UK in the hope of finding a forever home. But after four years in kennels, Bear is still waiting. Life hasn’t been easy for him, and his past experiences have left him wary of the world. With his ongoing medical condition, spondylosis, and a need for a calm and structured environment, finding the right home has been a challenge.

We’ve decided Bear shouldn’t have to wait any longer. Instead of holding out for a home that may never come, we’re building one just for him! Bear will soon have his very own dedicated kennel space at the Reactivity & Rehabilitation Centre, a safe haven designed specifically to meet his needs.

Here, Bear will have the chance to thrive in a supportive, quiet environment alongside other animals who will act as therapy for him. His “Bachelor Pad” will give him the space and security he needs, helping him build confidence while enjoying a peaceful, permanent place to call his own. This will be his sanctuary – a place where he can finally feel at ease.

To make this dream a reality, we need your help. The cost of building Bear’s new home is £1,000, and every penny counts. This special space will allow us to reallocate the £400 we currently spend monthly on his kennel and medical costs, meaning we can help even more animals in need.

Please, help us Build for Bear by donating to our JustGiving page. Whether it’s £1 or £100, your support will give Bear the happy ending he’s waited for his entire life. Share this far and wide – together, we can make Bear’s dream a reality and show him the love he so deeply deserves.

Let’s Build for Bear and give this incredible boy the home he’s been waiting for! Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

---

This is such an amazing opportunity for Bear – if you can, please help us make it happen for him by donating or sharing.

Building Works are underway – overseen by the foreman – Lucky the Goat!!

🐾 Build for Bear Update: New Site Foreman on the Job! 🐾

Bear is taking his new home VERY seriously, so he’s officially appointed a new site foreman to keep things moving… Introducing Lucky Construction! 🏗️🐐 (Yes, that’s Lucky the goat from the sanctuary, who—let’s be honest—is more of a demolition expert than a builder, but we’re rolling with it!)

Despite Lucky’s unique approach to project management, things are finally taking shape! The floor is going in, the external cladding is up, and Bear’s dream home is starting to become a reality. But we’re not there yet—we still need your support to get the materials and resources needed to finish the job.

💛 Please donate and help us Build for Bear! Every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to giving this incredible boy the home and comfort he’s waited so long for.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/build-for-bear

If you can’t donate, please share! Let’s get this build over the finish line and give Bear the safe, loving space he deserves. 🐶💛🐐

Thank you so much to Peter @ Greenbank Animal Sanctuary for making this happen

Greenbank Animal Sanctuary

Greenbank on Facebook

Every day, dogs in Romanian kill shelters face an uncertain future. At PennyPaws Rescue, we’re committed to giving these innocent souls a second chance – but we can’t do it without you.

Your donations make it possible for us to:
✔️ Rescue dogs from kill shelters in Romania.
✔️ Provide them with the care and rehabilitation they desperately need.
✔️ Transport them to loving forever homes here in the UK.

Without public support, these life-saving efforts would simply not be possible. Every pound you donate goes directly towards saving lives and ensuring these dogs get the future they deserve.

💔 Imagine living in a cold, overcrowded shelter with no hope. Now imagine being lifted out of that darkness and placed into a warm, safe home where you’re loved unconditionally. This transformation is only possible because of compassionate people like you.

---

Our Bank Details are:
Metro Bank
Name of Account: Pennypaws Rescue
Account Number: 47713498
Sort Code: 23-05-80

IBAN: GB14MYMB23058047713498
SWIFT Ref: MYMBGB2L

Paypal
Our Paypal address is: admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk

Paying by Cheque
If you would prefer to send a cheque please make it out to ‘Pennypaws Rescue’ and send to:
Jonathan Slatter, 25 Frankley Buildings, Bath BA1 6EG

Registered Charity No 1200959. Thank you so much if you can help us.

---

You can find out more about Donations and GiftAid Here

To send us a message please click here

---

🐾🚗💕A PUPDATE FROM FINLEY TO SAY THANK YOU! 🥰🙏🐾

Hello, friends! It’s me, Finley – or should I say Winston?

That’s right, I’ve been thinking: with this brand-new chapter of my life, it feels like the right time for a brand-new name. “Winston” has a ring of elegance to it, don’t you think? Distinguished, refined, and, well… just like me (if I do say so myself). What do you think? I’d love to know if you think it suits me!

Now, let me tell you a bit about how I got here. My journey wasn’t easy, and honestly, I never imagined I’d end up somewhere warm and safe. You see, I spent most of my life on the streets of Romania. It was a hard life, and along the way, I suffered some pretty serious injuries – a fractured pelvis and a whole lot of other hurts, inside and out. Then I got caught and taken to a kill shelter. That’s where I thought my story would end…

But no! Some kind souls saw the fighter in me and made sure I got a second chance. Thanks to the amazing rescue team and my lovely Aunty Gill, I had surgery to fix my pelvis, and I was brought to a rescue kennel where I finally felt the bitter cold start to leave my body – and my heart.

Now, I’ve found myself in a loving home with Peter at the specialist reactivity centre. Peter understands me in ways I don’t fully have words for yet – but I understand the language of love, and that’s all I need. Thanks to so many kind people, I’m safe now, and for the first time, I feel ready to trust again.

I may be 11 years old – a proper golden oldie! – but I’ve got a lot of life left in me. I even have a new purpose: looking after my baby brother, Sammy. Sammy came here with me, but he’s only 11 months old, and he’s been through so much. He’s scared of the world, carries some hidden wounds of his own, and relies on me for everything. So, I’m his big brother, his protector, and his best friend.

Together, we’re finding our way, but we couldn’t have made it this far without all of you. Your kindness and generosity to Penny Paws Rescue made my journey possible, and Sammy and I can’t thank you enough. But we still need your help! My ongoing care, and Sammy’s too, will take time, love, and funding, so we’d be so grateful if you could continue to support Penny Paws. Your donations don’t just help us – they help other dogs who are still waiting for their own chance at a new life.

From the bottom of my (healing) heart, thank you for giving me hope, love, and a future. Now, about this new name… Winston. It feels right. What do you think?

With love,
Winston (formerly Finley!) and Sammy 🐾

With thanks to Peter Loy at Greenbank Animal Sanctuary for the lovely write up and for all he has done for Finley – now Winston

By Peter Loy of Greenbank Animal Sanctuary

When preparing for New Year celebrations, especially if you’re expecting guests, it’s important to ensure your dog is clean, free from fleas, ticks, mites, and odours. This guide will help you both groom your dog and clean your home effectively.

Part 1: Bathing Your Dog

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before starting, ensure you have:
• Dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner (anti-flea/tick if necessary).
• Flea comb.
• Towels.
• Non-slip mat for the bath.
• Cotton balls (to protect their ears from water).
• Brush suited to your dog’s coat type.

Step 2: Brush Before Bathing
1. Brush your dog to remove loose fur, dirt, and mats.
2. Pay special attention to areas where fleas and ticks like to hide (armpits, base of the tail, and behind ears).

Step 3: Protect Sensitive Areas
• Place cotton balls in your dog’s ears to prevent water from entering.
• Use a gentle wipe or damp cloth to clean around their eyes.

Step 4: Bathe Your Dog
1. Wet the Coat: Use lukewarm water, starting from the neck down.
2. Apply Shampoo: Work the shampoo into the fur, focusing on flea-prone areas. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes (or per product instructions).
3. Rinse Thoroughly: Ensure no shampoo residue remains as it can irritate the skin.
4. Condition (Optional): If using a conditioner, follow the same process as the shampoo.
5. Dry Your Dog: Towel dry thoroughly and use a blow dryer on a low, cool setting if needed.

Step 5: Post-Bath Grooming
• Use a flea comb to check for any remaining fleas.
• If needed, apply a flea treatment recommended by your vet.

Part 2: Deep Cleaning Your Home

Step 1: Vacuum Everywhere
1. Focus on areas where your dog spends the most time (bedding, sofas, carpets).
2. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture fleas, eggs, and allergens.
3. Vacuum cracks, crevices, and baseboards thoroughly.

Step 2: Wash Dog Items
• Launder your dog’s bedding, toys, and collars in hot water with a pet-safe detergent.
• Air-dry or use a dryer on high heat to kill any pests.

Step 3: Treat Furniture and Carpets
1. Use a pet-safe flea spray or powder on soft surfaces like carpets and upholstery.
2. Steam clean rugs and furniture if possible.

Step 4: Mop Hard Floors
• Mop with a pet-safe disinfectant to remove odours, bacteria, and mites.

Step 5: Address Air Quality
• Use an air purifier to reduce pet odours and dander.
• Light pet-safe candles or use essential oils like lavender (but ensure they’re safe for dogs).

Part 3: Prevent Fleas, Ticks, and Odours

Maintain Regular Grooming
• Brush your dog frequently to remove loose fur and dirt.
• Bathe every 4–6 weeks or as recommended for your dog’s breed.

Use Preventative Treatments
• Apply vet-recommended flea and tick treatments monthly.
• Consider using flea collars or oral preventatives.

Keep the Home Fresh
• Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and vacuum to remove odours.
• Clean litter areas or potty spots promptly.

Part 4: Guest Preparation

Minimize Stress for Your Dog
• Keep your dog calm during celebrations with a quiet, cozy area.
• Consider pheromone diffusers to reduce anxiety.

Ensure Freshness
• Use fabric sprays on furniture and clean any smelly spots in the home.
• Place freshly laundered throws or covers on sofas where your dog might sit.

By following these steps, you’ll have a clean, fresh-smelling home and a happy, healthy dog—pawfect for ringing in the New Year with guests!

We have made 2 beautiful 2025 digital calendars which you can download here. These lovely calendars feature Pennyoaws dogs looking for a home, and are only available to download. We do not have a printed version. They come in PDF format so you can open them on your phone, tablet and computer. And please feel free to send them on to friends and family, it really helps to spread the word.

There are two PDF calendars to view here or download.
The second calendar features lovely drawings of Pennypaws dogs looking for a home, made by the artist LC.

---

Pennypaws Rescue Calendar 2025 No 1

---

Pennypaws Rescue Calendar 2025 No 2 (Artist LC)

If you would like to download a calendar please consider making a donation to Pennypaws Rescue so we can help more dogs in desperate need. Thank you. Pennypaws is run entirely by unpaid volunteers so EVERY PENNY goes to the dogs. Thank you. How to pay details are below.

---

Our Bank Details are:
Metro Bank
Name of Account: Pennypaws Rescue
Account Number: 47713498
Sort Code: 23-05-80

IBAN: GB14MYMB23058047713498
SWIFT Ref: MYMBGB2L

Paypal
Our Paypal address is: admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk

Paying by Cheque
If you would prefer to send a cheque please make it out to ‘Pennypaws Rescue’ and send to:
Jonathan Slatter, 25 Frankley Buildings, Bath BA1 6EG

Registered Charity No 1200959. Thank you so much if you can help us.

A beautiful song by Greg Crowhurst about the poor dogs in Romania desperate for a warm home.

Greg and Linda are wonderful supporters of Pennypaws Rescue.
Greg wrote this this song , which Linda has illustrated, to raise awareness of the plight the dogs in Romania, this winter and the desperate need to find them all warm, loving homes.
Words and Music by Greg Crowhurst Art by Linda Crowhurst © 2024

If you would like to help Pennypaws Rescue in anyway please email admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk Thank you.

This is where you can order personalised copies of our Christmas Video Message E-Card to be sent to your friends, loved ones and family.

For each personalisation we are suggesting a contribution of £4.95 or whatever you choose to donate. Even £1 makes a difference for the dogs.
This will include personalising the video e-card with your own personal Christmas message to your loved ones, and a link to stream or download the video will be sent to the email address of your friend/loved one on your preferred date. (please see form below). You’ll receive a copy too so you can WhatsApp and Email it to whoever you like.

So…remember you can just order one generic personalisation and send that video to as many friends and loved ones as you like using your own WhatsApp, Email or Facebook Messenger.

To order yours, please just fill in the form below.
For each personalised card you order, can you please send £4.95 or whatever amount you would like to donate to Pennypaws, to our Paypal address (admin@ pennypawsrescue.org.uk) or our Bank. (Full payment details here)
Every single penny goes to the dogs, we are run only by a handful of unpaid volunteers. Thank you.

Any questions or problems please email Jonathan: admin@pennypawsrescue.org.uk
To summarise…! If you want a personalised card sent to one person / family – we will send the card to them personlised with your message.
If you would prefer a generic video card which you can send to as many people as you like, we will send you a link which you can WhatsApp, Email or Message to as many people as you like.

Card Order Form:

Thank you so much to Linda Crowhurst for the story idea and the beautiful drawings.