Wales Dog Sanctuary Flood Traps 28 Dogs in Loft

With torrential rain sweeping across Wales this week, the Wales dog sanctuary flood left dozens of helpless animals stranded in rising waters. Floodwaters engulfed Trimsaran’s Glanrhyd Dog Sanctuary in Carmarthenshire, trapping 28 dogs in the attic. The disaster turned the once-safe refuge into a desperate fight for survival.

Dogs Trapped as Floodwaters Rose

Alison Clark, a 59-year-old owner, runs the sanctuary to care for about 37 dogs, many of them rescues with behavioural issues. On Tuesday morning, riverbanks broke, and floodwaters quickly engulfed the house and the shelter. According to Clark, the floodwaters were rising floor after floor, and she had to keep the animals higher and higher.

“Every level we went up, the water followed,” she told BBC Radio Wales.

Her situation became critical when she realized the property was completely cut off. Floodwater had risen to waist level, leaving no access to the road. In desperation, she moved 28 dogs to safety in the loft. Emergency crews later managed to rescue nine of them using boats.

Limited Supplies and Harsh Conditions

Although none of the animals perished, the situation in the loft is still severe. The dogs confined there lack electricity, food and proper sanitation. Clark reported that nearly all her dog food supplies were destroyed, and she was only left with two bags. The bedding was wet, and the premises were left without power and clean water.

“It’s just devastating, everything’s gone,” Clark said.

She said she was grateful that the dogs had survived the hail of fire. I had had them alive yesterday, she said, sobbing, and I intend to make them permanent kennels in the loft when the flood goes down.

Emergency Response and Challenges

Fire and rescue personnel worked around the clock in the region. They responded to more than 450 calls during the floods. People and pets caught in the rising water were also rescued.

Nine dogs were brought to safety, but rescuers could not reach all of them due to life-threatening currents and limited access. Some dogs were too anxious or reactive to travel in groups, so Alison had to leave them locked safely in crates.

By Wednesday, flood warnings remained in effect across several Welsh counties. Officials urged residents to stay alert and prepare for possible new flooding caused by high tides and a rare supermoon, which intensified the tidal surges.

A Sanctuary’s Next Steps

In the case of Alison Clark and her dogs, it will be a long process. She has an uphill task to replace the conditions of the shelter with the property secluded and the supplies destroyed. The local supporters have started to help her by contributing donations and supplies, whereas some people posted her story on social media to support the sanctuary in getting attention.

Clark has lost almost everything, but he is not going to give up:

Today will simply be a fight – clean bedding, rescuing food and whatever I can do.

Her bravery is the indissoluble tie between man and animal – and the strength that it needs to save life, even in a crisis.

Summary:

The flooding in Wales destroyed homes, roads, and entire communities. It also endangered the lives of many helpless animals. Thanks to the bravery of Alison Clark and the tireless rescue teams, Glanrhyd Dog Sanctuary managed to save all 37 dogs. Now, they face the difficult task of rebuilding their lives and restoring the sanctuary after the disaster.