Battersea Dogs’ Home is not alone

Battersea Dogs’ Home was in the news yesterday because they took in almost 500 dogs in December and have put in place a waiting list for Local Authorities because of the lack of space. They say it is partially due to bad weather preventing people from coming to their centres to adopt dogs during the past few weeks.

They are not alone. Our local dog rescue charities are also facing difficulties. They, too, have suffered from the weather. Ferndown based Waggy Tails Rescue in Dorset reported that numbers to their ‘Dog Presentation’ (a monthly meeting, showing off the dogs to public at a West Parley Hall) were very low in January. Their chairman, Shelagh Meredith said, “As our policy is not to rehome dogs into families with children in December, (due to Christmas festivities) the first presentation in January usually attracts well over 100 people. This month we had only about thirty.”

However, the waiting list situation is the norm for Waggy Tails. They do not have kennels, like Battersea, but instead, the abandoned dogs stay with foster parents until they are adopted permanently. “We find this is less traumatic for the dogs, as they are just moving from one home to another, and can be cared for on a one-to-one basis”

However, there are never enough foster parents so at any one time Waggy Tails have a list of about 20 dogs waiting to be handed over. Fostering costs nothing, as the charity pays for the dogs’ food and medical treatment. All they ask is that the fosterer is at home most of the day, and that they have no young children – they also need to be experienced dog owners too and preferably have a safe garden.

For folk who love dogs but take too many holidays to own their own pooch, it is ideal, as fostering can be just for a month or two.  It is immensely rewarding, and the brief sadness of waving goodbye to your little orphan is balanced out by seeing them leaving happily with their new family.

If you would like to become a foster parent, or donate to Waggy Tails Rescue (they are saving up to buy their own sanctuary) please contact their office on 01202 875000.

Pictured is the latest dog to be abandoned. His owners told Waggy Tails they would turn him out onto the street if the charity couldn’t collect him that very day. His name is Bruno and he is a border collie cross aged about six.   He has obviously had several owners and a few indications that he has been roughly handled.  But he will make friends once he has had a little time to get used to you.  Patience and lots of TLC for Bruno please!