Licensing authority declines to comment as police confirm attendance at Carmarthenshire rescue centre

AN INVESTIGATION is underway following a visit by licensing inspectors to the premises of one of the UK’s largest dog rescue organisations.

Authorities attended Many Tears Animal Rescue on Tuesday (Mar 10), with Dyfed-Powys Police confirming officers were present during the visit in a supporting role.

Police stressed that their officers were not leading the operation and were only present to prevent any breach of the peace.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Herald: “Officers attended the premises in a supporting capacity only, to prevent any breach of the peace. The visit took place without any need of police involvement or intervention.”

Enquiries about the purpose of the visit were directed to Animal Licensing Wales, the body responsible for overseeing animal establishment licensing across Wales.

When contacted by The Herald, Animal Licensing Wales confirmed it could not comment further.

In a statement, the organisation said: “We are unable to comment on this matter due to an ongoing investigation.”

The RSPCA Cymru has also confirmed it was not involved in the visit.

An RSPCA spokesperson told The Herald: “The RSPCA did not attend this premises on March 10 so did not participate in any visit that took place.”

Many Tears Animal Rescue, based in Carmarthenshire, is one of the largest dog rescue charities operating in the UK and is known for rescuing and rehoming thousands of dogs each year.

Founded by Sylvia and Bill Van Atta, the organisation operates from the former Cawdor Kennels site, which it purchased in 2004. The centre houses large numbers of rescue dogs while also working with foster carers who temporarily care for animals before they are placed in permanent homes.

The organisation takes in animals from a variety of sources, including commercial breeding establishments and other rescues, before placing them with new owners across the country.

Animal Licensing Wales operates under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021, which require organisations involved in activities such as animal boarding, breeding, and rehoming to meet strict standards relating to animal welfare, veterinary care, record-keeping, and the management of animals kept at licensed premises.

The nature of the investigation has not yet been disclosed.

Many Tears Animal Rescue has built a significant following among dog adopters across the UK, regularly rehoming animals rescued from breeding establishments, pounds and other rescue organisations. The Carmarthenshire centre is widely known among rescue supporters and veterinary volunteers, with many dogs travelling to new homes across Britain after being rehabilitated at the site.

Investigations involving animal licensing authorities can include inspections of facilities, checks on welfare standards, and reviews of record keeping and veterinary care arrangements. Under Welsh regulations, organisations involved in activities such as boarding, breeding or rehoming animals must meet strict licensing conditions designed to safeguard animal welfare.

The story will be updated if further information becomes available.

A PEMBROKESHIRE heating oil supplier has been praised by a local customer after choosing to honour its original prices despite a sharp rise in fuel costs.

Sarah Maling contacted The Herald after receiving a delivery from J E Lawrence & Son Ltd, saying the company had prioritised fairness to customers during a period of intense demand.

The customer had ordered around 800 litres of heating oil on March 2 after her tank began running low. However, due to extremely high demand, the company was unable to deliver until Friday (Mar 13). Despite heating oil prices increasing rapidly since the order was placed, the firm honoured the original quoted price and delivered 500 litres instead, ensuring more households could receive some oil.

Sarah said the delivery driver arrived at her home at around 11:30am after already completing 27 deliveries that day.

She said: “Prices have gone insane since I ordered yet they stuck with the quoted price and delivered 500 litres and explained why in the letter.

“This is putting the customer before profit and making sure everyone who needs oil will hopefully get oil at a more affordable price.

“I just wanted it acknowledged that not all delivery companies are out to make a profit but care about their customers – the people of Pembrokeshire.”

The letter included with the delivery explained that distributors across the sector had cancelled existing orders as prices surged last week.

However, the company said it had chosen not to cancel earlier orders and instead decided to limit deliveries so that more customers would receive some fuel.

The letter stated: “We have experienced huge volumes of orders and deliveries are now taking two to three weeks.

“Most distributors cancelled existing orders when prices increased rapidly last week, and those customers had to go to the back of a very long queue with another supplier.

“We have chosen not to do that and your original price has been honoured.”

The company added that limiting deliveries was the only way to ensure all customers could receive oil during the current supply pressures.

It apologised for the inconvenience caused but said the situation was being driven by “a very uncertain climate which is outside our control”.

A COMMUNITY football club has raised £1,000 for Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital following a successful charity guest speaker night.

New Hedges Saundersfoot United Football Club organised the annual event at the Regency Hall in Saundersfoot on Saturday (June 28), welcoming supporters for an evening of entertainment and football stories from former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.

The club said the event was held in memory of Gareth Allen, a much-loved former player who died in 2023.

Simon Brace and Stuart McLaren from the club said: “New Hedges Saundersfoot United Football Club is a local amateur junior and senior football club serving the Saundersfoot community.

“This year’s event was organised in memory of Gareth Allen, a much-loved former player of the club who sadly passed away in 2023. We wanted to honour Gareth and show our appreciation for the care he received by donating the proceeds to Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital.”

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer for Hywel Dda Health Charities, thanked the club for its support.

She said: “Thank you so much to Simon, Stuart and everyone at New Hedges Saundersfoot Football Club for selecting Ward 10 as one of the beneficiaries of your charity night.

“Your generosity is a lovely tribute to Gareth, and the donation is truly appreciated by the team on Ward 10. We are so grateful for your amazing support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide across the three counties of Hywel Dda, and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more information about the charity or how to support local NHS patients and staff, visit www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk.