All volunteers are amazing, but these volunteers take the biscuit. Read the inspiring story of the humans who turned a council pound into a dog hotel.
The thought of a dog lost, abandoned or surrendered to kennels is enough to make most dog lovers teary eyed - but Toria from The Rescue Hotel in Cardiff says ““I always say to people, never get sad about the dogs in this place. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened for them.”
And for the dogs who find themselves in The Rescue Hotel’s care, that’s certainly true.
This amazing volunteer formed and led charity has changed everything for the future of dogs in their community - and we’re very proud to support them through our Happy Paws programme.
The Rescue Hotel began with a handful of volunteers who were regularly walking and spending time with the dogs at Cardiff Dog’s Home.
They saw the gap between what the council could fund and what the dogs actually needed - and they decided to do something about it.
So they set up a charity to raise funds to improve the kennel facilities, the care, and the futures of the dogs who land there.
In other words: the council’s always provided a safety net, The Rescue Hotel helps them go above and beyond.
In any kennel environment, stress is part of the picture. New smells, new sounds, strange dogs, different people - it’s a lot for even the most resilient dog to handle. And many of the dogs who find themselves in rescue have health complications added into the mix.
Before working with Forthglade, the dogs at Cardiff Dogs Home were fed what their budget could stretch to, but they wanted to do more to support the dog’s health and behaviour.
Any vet or behaviourist will ask the same first question: “What are they eating?”
Toria had already been on her own deep dive into nutrition with her own rescue dog Emily, who had severe allergies and needed a carefully managed diet. She knew first-hand how much difference the right food could make - and how expensive trial-and-error can be when you’re doing it alone.
So she started asking a different question: “How can we get nutritious food for our dogs that’ll support good health and behaviour?”
So on Black Friday in 2024, Toria placed an enormous order of Forthglade natural dog food - taking advantage of a big discount to get the healthy food she knew their dogs needed.
Our team immediately spotted the order and got in touch with Toria - and the rest as they say is history.
Here’s a photo of Toria’s dog Emily collecting our first donation of food to The Rescue Hotel.
“At Forthglade, we believe every dog deserves a nutritious meal, not just the ones who are lucky enough to have landed on their paws the first time around.” - Liane Meade
When you’re living in kennels, these changes are huge. A dog who isn’t constantly scratching or battling a sore tummy has more capacity to relax, learn, and show who they really are.
That’s good for welfare - and it’s good for rehoming.
Food is the first building block, but what happens between meals matters just as much for every dog.
Kennels are noisy, unpredictable places. Dogs have very little control over their day: when they go out, who they see, when things change.
Play and enrichment give some of that control back. And it delivers joy.
That’s where our friends at Tug-E-Nuff, a Devon based dog toy company, come in.
Tug-E-Nuff specialises in interactive dog toys that boost bonds, relieve boredom, and burn energy. Their tuggies, chaser toys and fetch toys are designed to be used with people, not alone. And this is crucial for helping build trust with dogs who’ve had a rough time in life.
When we arranged a special Christmas delivery to The Rescue Hotel - complete with festive Forthglade meals and treats - Tug-E-Nuff joined us with a gift box bursting with toys.
The result was a room full of rescue dogs allowed to choose their own toys and treats.
This special moment made for a brilliant video (and some very waggy tails), but there’s more going on than just cute heartwarming content.
The Rescue Hotel’s work doesn’t stop at the kennel door.
Because they now have the ability to fund ‘extras’ the council couldn’t afford, they can:
That last part is particularly important. Many of the people using the clinic don’t qualify for means-tested help, but are still feeling the squeeze of the cost of living. Affordable veterinary care helps them stay on top of their dog’s health - and reduces the risk of their dogs ending up in kennels in the future.
Every adopted dog leaves with a Forthglade tote bag packed with:
And that’s important, because no sudden food switches reduce the likelihood of upset tummies during an already stressful transition period. Plus the dogs get to associate their new life with familiar, comforting smells and tastes.
Alongside that, many adopters will continue the kinds of interactive play their dog has enjoyed with Tug-E-Nuff toys in kennels - using tug, fetch and chase games to build trust and bond in those crucial first weeks.
It all adds up to a much smoother start for everyone.
At Forthglade, we see our relationship with The Rescue Hotel - and with Tug-E-Nuff - as a purposeful partnership.
This community fuelled initiative has given this council pound the support they need to relieve stress in dogs and set them up for happy futures.
When you combine good food, bond-boosting play, and people who care deeply, life in kennels can be a place of hope. We’re beyond proud to support this incredible charity and the beautiful dogs in their care.
Recently adopted a rescue or planning to soon? Find the best toys for rescue dogs here.
Find more tips on how to help your rescue dog settle in here.
All Images Credit @jamieallenphotos
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