GALLERY: Rea the rescue dog raises a smile at Ravenswood Pet Rescue shop launch at Walsoken, near Wisbech

Caroline Trigg with Shelley Ridgeon (Image: Archant)

.Caroline Trigg, who founded Ravenswood Pet Rescue five years ago, along with Shelley Ridgeon and a team of committed volunteers, spent weeks preparing for the launch of the shop selling pre-loved and new goodies to raise money for vets bills.

MP Steve Barclay officially cut the ribbon on the shop at Bambers Garden Centre and thanked them for going above and beyond the call of duty to help team up unwanted animals with forever homes.

Two Ravenswood rescue dogs joined the event - Rea the lurcher who was adopted three years ago and stole the show during the launch photoshoot, and Peppa the Lhasa Apso who was adopted last month.

Mr Barclay said: “Sometimes good people go about their business doing outstanding work for the community with no recognition and this is one of those moments when it is important to take note and thank them,” Mr Barclay said.

Marian Edrupt with her dog Rea that she re-homed from Ravenswood three years ago (Image: Archant)

The rescue is a non profit making organisation set up by Ms Trigg, Fenland District Council’s dog warden, in a bid to stop heathy dogs being put to sleep when they are left unclaimed from council dog pounds.

Ms Trigg, who has rescued dogs in one way or another since she was 10, has worked tirelessly so that Fenland is one of the only areas in the country where stray dogs are not automatically euthanised after seven days of being in council dog pounds.

She set up Ravenswood as a small independent rescue based on the Cambridge and Norfolk border where dogs live with volunteer foster carers until they find permanent homes.

She said: “We are self financed and do all our fund raising from car boot sales, quiz nights, kind donations and adoption fees. There are only a few of us involved so the shop will bring in much needed money to help pay for vets fees.”

Daisy Brownlow with Peppa (Image: Archant)