01/09/2022
This is so sad, that picture 😢
Here are some sobering August figures for you
We had 105 surrender requests completed and several other requests to take dogs via other rescues and dog wardens and vets . That is nearly 4 dogs a day.
Of these forms the most were for cockers. These cockers were mostly males and mostly under 2 years of age. More than half had issues - guarding ,snapping, biting and dog reactive
We took into foster 64 dogs meaning we couldn't take approx 40 due to the dogs issues being too severe for us to find a foster home for. ie multiple bites causing hospital treatment . We have a small group of fosters willing to take dogs needing rehab from an experienced fosterer. They are all full and have a waiting list.
We took in 7 dogs that had been dumped and came to us via dog wardens. We usually take one or two every couple of months on average. This will continue to rise.
Today so far we have had 2 surrender requests from owners and one from another rescue re 2 young springers aged 2 ish already on their second litters.
We have 62 dogs in long term foster
We have 108 dogs in regular foster either being assessed , on meet and greet stage or awaiting homechecks
Dog ownership in this country is in a huge huge mess. We are one small charity. Multiply these figures by all the rescues covering all breeds and the figures will be heart breaking. And its going to get worse. The cost of living crisis is going to have a huge impact
We are very very fortunate that we have the funds to help these dogs . What we don't have is places for dogs with issues. We have no room for them nor does anyone else.
What is the answer? Stop breeding . Every dog you produce another one or two or more will end up in rescue or die. You think vets don't put to sleep healthy dogs? What else are they supposed to do? They cant take them all in. I see people breeding and asking questions they should have researched before mating their dog not when the pups have arrived. If you are going to breed then make sure they are already reserved. . Make sure they are adding something to a line or helping to protect a vulnerable breed or to help breed out some of the horrendous traits we have bred in to some breeds. Make sure your dog and bitch have health tests relevant to their breed (and no that doesn't mean they are vaccinated and had a 5 minute vet check). Make sure you check out the home you are selling to. If none of these then don't do it. Your bitch doesn't need to have a litter. Your dog being used as a stud will not calm him down. Stop buying dogs from gumtree or free ads or similar. A good breeder does not need to advertise their litters on websites like that. If a breeder doesn't ask you any questions or checks you out then they are just in it for the money. Make sure they have a return to breeder contract. In 3000 dogs we have seen about 10 of these! Do your research. Then do some more.
We are supposed to be a nation of dog lovers. It sure doesn't feel like it at the moment :(
The photo below is of Roo SA2990 when she arrived 10 days ago. She was so scared that she would only look at the wall. She came to us after being signed over to a vets from a breeding hell hole. Aged about 7 so no use to them any more. Multiple litters. Abused and scared. Only good for making money from. She is a different dog now but still has a way to go. She is one of the lucky ones who ended up in a fabulous foster home
