[Re-Upload - Article taken from November 2021]

Local volunteers have raised thousands towards repairs to make dog kennels safe again at a Llanelli rescue centre left in critical condition following Storm Arwen.

Sylvia Van Atta, founder of Many Tears Animal Rescue Centre in Llanelli, had previously pleaded with followers to donate the cost of a cup of coffee to the centre to help with repairs.

The Facebook plea garnered an abundance of support, including that of local construction company Coastal Roofing, who heroically assisted with repair efforts.

Sylvia recalls how harsh weather from storm Arwen on Saturday, 27^th November caused “major structural damage” to the centre, destroying the centre’s brand-new classroom recently installed for the animals.

“We were without power from the early hours of the morning,” she said, adding: “Debris was flying dangerously in the winds, and we sadly lost one of our new puppies during the incident.”

On December 7^th, Tom Price, director of Coastal Roofing, saw the centres pleas and got involved, stating: “I don’t like to see people left in such a mess. I’ll always help someone out if I can.”

He said: “We helped in replacing the whole roof as the condition after the storm wasn’t repairable,” adding, “We gave them a new roof to make sure all the puppies were safe and sound.”

Although based in Carmarthenshire, Many Tears Rescue Centre helps dogs in foster homes throughout the UK.

According to their website, the rescue now homes over 3,000 dogs a year.

In a statement on their Facebook page, Many Tears said that the roofing company helped “straighten the roof panels as a quick fix to make the kennels safe” along with “other volunteers and staff who screwed them up to temporarily mend the structures.”

They also provided an update on how they plan to use the generous donations from the local community, writing: “Next week we will buy the supplies needed to get things all repaired properly and a small generator to protect against loss of power.”

“We are also planning to make 4 warm kennels for our lovely dogs on the sites of previous older, damaged ones.”

Storm Arwen winds reached “almost 100 miles per hour”, leaving “three dead, buildings damaged and trees blown down in the ferocious winds” across the United Kingdom, according to the Guardian.

While the centre remains devastated by the loss of puppy Florence during the storm, Sylvia maintains that “after every storm, a rainbow appears.”

For Many Tears, their “rainbow” appeared in the form of a German Shephard the rescue centre welcomed into their care in the aftermath of the storm.

“Frisby arrived heavily pregnant, and this morning delivered 10 beautiful and healthy puppies via c-section,” said Sylvia, in a post on Facebook.

“It was all hands-on deck as our staff members and volunteers rushed to our veterinary surgery to help the new arrivals.” Sylvia continued.  “We could not have done this without you all, we are so grateful for your support.”