| Archive for Shak Dog Rescue forum |
| admin |
Problem with StraysSame all over the country. When are the government going to actually realise this is MASSIVE problem all over the country!http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7845803.stm |
| Allison |
It always breaks my heart when we have strays come into the surgery - more often than not they have been kicked out and discarded like rubbish because they are poorly or the owner just cant be bothered anymore  the amount of breeding bitches that are no longer wanted because they have passed there breeding days and cant make the owner money anymore makes my blood boil along with the other end of the equation when pups are bought as Christmas presents and because they have chewed the best sofa or pair of slippers they are either rehomed, advertsied for sale or worse still just chucked out onto the street.
Our rescue centres are bursting at the seams and running on donations and having to do fundraising events just to survive - the job they do is amazing and without people like Steve and other rescue organisations many of these animals would be pts. |
| K9 Search UK |
The 2 councils we deal with are fairly small in comparison to the London areas. However we have a major problem with strays, and the reclaim rate is absolutely disgusting.
For one of the councils: April saw an intake of 59 dogs, 11 reclaimed, 2 rehomed, 4 moved to other rescues, 1 pts (health reasons) leaving a surplus of 40 May saw an intake of 44 dogs, 15 reclaimed, 2 rehomed, 8 moved to other rescues, 2 pts (serious aggression issues) leaving a surplus of 17 June so far intake is 19 dogs, 5 reclaimed, 0 rehomed, 0 moved to other rescues, 0 pts, leaving surplus of 14 So thats 71 dog unclaimed for less than 3 months, what are pounds meant to do with these dogs.......if you dont have the right rehoming audience you are up the creek without a paddle. Both the pound and ourselves have implemented a system which is seeing an increase in reclaims and now we do monthly stats, we know the hot spots, hot dogs.......West Bromwich is the worst area for strays, and drum roll the Staffie is the most abandoned breed of dog. |
| wyliecat88 |
It's a shocking situation Jennie. Thanks for sharing those stats, I really don't think that the public are aware of how bad the situation really is.
|
| K9 Search UK |
You are right Steve the public are oblivious to it Personally Im waiting for the government to step in and it wont be with the action we need, it will be kill all strays. Its just so disappointing.
|
| wyliecat88 |
That's my fear too It's the idiots who discard the animals that need the action taken. |
| wrightk-9 |
people need to realise that dogs grow and the need training and people need to reserch about dogs and me personaly i dont think new dog owners should have a dog unless they go on a course in training and responsability of dog care. this is what i pride my self on being able to give this information and drill it home to these people,
i am hoping in the future (some time soon) i will be able to open a rehab centre judt for death row dogs and help them get there forever home, this is a dream that i no will take a long long time i have been looking for fields or units that i can use to start this dream but to no avail. why do people not understand the importance of dog ownership i put it down to not enough people giving propper information, do they not realise that there once puppy may be getting pts. it makes me so mad as this is a life like any other beings life, now im getting peed off sorry. |
| stephen-c |
I agree with you completely - you see so many dog owners who have no idea of even basic handling or control. Its hardly surprising that so many dogs end up with behavioural problems or are abandoned. If they do not learn some basic rules and manners when they are young, it is just going to end up a bigger problem as they grow up. So many owners take the easy option of getting rid of the dog instead of investing a little time and effort into educating the dog.
I have had German Shepherds for quite a few years now and all of my dogs have done basic obedience classes - even that was just 1 hour per week, but they learn so much about how to behave around dogs and people. Every walk with my dogs includes a few minutes training, which can be as little as a couple of stays and a recall or some heelwork. The dogs have to focus on me for a few minutes and they get their reward. They have a great time doing it, it keeps them physically and mentally excercised and I enjoy it as well. We would all get bored very quickly if our walk was just once round the park then back in the car. I realise that some people may not have lots of time to spare, but a little bit can go along way and make a huge difference. Having a dog is a commitment and a responsibility - anyone who does not see that should not get a dog. Working with the SHAK dogs has shown me how much can be done with just very basic handling excercises - the dogs want to learn, and earn their rewards and hopefully make it easier when they find their new home. They all deserve their chance! I don't know what the answer is, but I think that any scheme brought in by the government would lead to an increase in dogs being abandoned by people not wanting to follow the rules - especially if there was any cost to them. anyway, I had my say- I feel much better after that |
| wrightk-9 |
i agree 10000000000% mate people should not have dogs if they are not willing to do the work in training and socializing there dogs. |
| ladykeli |
i think another problem is awareness. when i first started at the pound i knew nothing. i was amazed at the amount of dogs coming in and by how far away they were picked up. i was convinced that at least some were lost and not dumped. then i saw jennie and learned about lost and found dogs. most people dont know to ring the council if they lose a dog they even now ring the police, and if they're lucky the police will tell them to ring the council. people finding a dog dont always know who to phone.
over the years working with jennie we have built up a good system and more dogs are being claimed. but my bug bear is.. people should know where to go it shouldnt be up to volluntear organisations to get the information out, and now the councils are getting more dogs, more and more councils are getting rid of their dog wardens and opting for a general dog collection service.that covers more than one area the one used in the midlands cant even be contacted by the public. this is a long post for me lol |
| K9 Search UK |
The system implented now is much much better and the reclaim rate is on the increase thankfully. We are constantly in touch with the wardens throughout the day, only last week one warden picked up 3 strays and those dogs were reunited with their owners without even reaching the kennels. All 3 safely delivered back home by the warden.
But dogs will only be claimed back if the owners want them.........only yesterday Zeus the staffie, owner refuse to claim him back because he is petrified in storms and with fireworks. They only had him for 4 weeks, they purchased him for £20 from another pound.
|
| ladykeli |
the 2 councils we deal with are also pretty good, one still has a dog warden who does go out of his way to help reunite dogs. the other council will and have sent people round to knock a door where the dog is chipped and a phone number not working. |
| ladykeli |
9 stray dogs in yesterday 
|