No one really understands how it is that I have been at this rescue so
long, or why the right family has not come along, or why people keep
passing me up for other dogs.

I will qualify this by adding “for My
Biggest Fan”, but I am absolutely, without question, the best trained dog
in the entire facility. I have done so many cool things and had so many
great experiences, I am very very very reliable. My Biggest Fan not
only works with me multiple times every week on my manners and skills at
the rescue, but she also attended training classes with a professional
trainer with me. At the end of those classes, the trainer was in
tears, crying about how unfair it was that no one had taken me home yet.
She said I was one of her all-time favorites, and that I was one of the
smartest, most hard-working dogs she had ever seen. Again, it has a
lot to do with how much I love My Biggest Fan, but I promise, if I find
my Forever Family and they work with me, I will do everything I can for
them too. My Biggest Fan also took me on a fieldtrip to meet her
favorite dog trainer in the world, and that very very very knowledgeable
lady had the same opinion of me. That I would walk through fire for
someone I love, that I will learn anything you ask as long as you explain it

well, and that I will stay with you until the bitter end. She also
thinks I should go live with someone who will look into getting me my
Therapy Dog title and take me to visit sick, sad and lonely people in the
hospital. I think I would be really good at that. I know all about
being sad and lonely sometimes.

I think the first thing that you need to know about me is that I LOVE
LOVE LOVE people. All sizes of people. People, period. This year the
rescue attended two very crowded, very wild, Easter egg hunts with,
literally, multiple THOUSANDS of people. Like one event had at least
EIGHT thousand people. They had to choose the most friendly, reliable,
brave dogs at the rescue, and I was their first choice. Out of all the
dogs of all the breeds, they knew they could count on ME! And I am so
glad they picked me! I visited with kids for HOURS and I had a blast!
They hugged me and kissed me and gave me treats. They counted my teeth
and my toenails. The traded bunny ears with me and played with the
Easter eggs on my collar. They rubbed my belly and pulled my tail. They
felt all the scars on my ears from where the mean people cut off my
ears with scissors. They looked at the cuts I have on my tail that I get
from, ironically, being so happy all the time and wagging my tail too
much. And when I got tired from all this attention, I laid down flat on
my side and slept like a log, in the middle of huge crowds of people,
with kids checking to see if I was really asleep and then using me as a
pillow when they laid down on top of me.

The really good part about these public appearances I make is how I am
able to help other dogs meet their Forever Families, and sometimes even
help the humans. Several people spent so much time playing with me
that they took a card, filled out an application and adopted a dog from my
rescue….another dog, always another dog. Never me. It seems lots

of people are afraid of me because of what I look like, or rumors they
have heard about my breed. They totally disregard all the great things
they have seen with their own eyes during the time they spent with me.
And then there are some people who have wanted me, but for the wrong
reasons. Again, because of what I look like and how “tough” they think
it will make them look, or because of what mean things they think they
can make me do because of my breed. Boy am I lucky I have the people
at the rescue to watch out for me!!
I mentioned I have helped people out too. You see I met several people
who were afraid of dogs, had some bad experiences personally with
dogs, but they saw how trustworthy I am, and I helped them get over their
fears a little bit. At one event, a little girl’s mom told My Biggest
Fan that her daughter was terrified of dogs after her brother and father
were attacked by a neighbor’s dog. Her mom couldn’t believe it when
she looked over and saw the girl squatting in front of me, kissing my
nose. Apparently, ever since the attack, she would run in the house or
jump into a car anytime she saw a dog. But I guess when she watched me
with the other kids, she saw how safe she would be as my friend and
she came to meet me. I am so glad she did! She stayed with me for a
long time, and it made her mom really really happy to see.

You probably need to know that I am just about 2 years old now, and
have lived at the rescue for the last eight months. The rescue took me in
from a high-kill shelter after being HOUNDED by the police officer who
worked at the shelter….he called so many times begging the rescue to
make space for “one of the kindest, coolest dogs that has ever come
through here” and telling the rescue folks that he “can’t bear the
thought of putting this guy down….he is one special dog”. Man, am I glad

he was persistent and that these guys made a space for me even though
they were jam-packed-full! Phew! You also need to know that I know a
LOT of obedience and am very well behaved, FOR A PERSON WHO IS A VERY
CONFIDENT DOG HANDLER. I am never mean or bad, but if you aren’t good at
dog-handling, you will get to spend you day pretending to be a dogsled
while I pretend to be a Husky. And you will spend you day being
ignored by me. I am not what they call a “starter dog” nor am I for a person
who is not used to a very confident, independent thinker of a dog.
Some people call dogs like me stubborn, or bull-headed, but My Biggest
Fan calls me an “independent thinker”…I like that. So if you know
stuff the way My Biggest Fan knows stuff, I will gleefully do anything you
ask—even so, the rescue will still want knowledgeable to sign up with
a bully-breed friendly trainer to have them help us bond as a team.
It’s all about GENTLE but firm, and consistent….and lots of time for
exercise and activity. I can also tell you that all of my medical care
is up to date, and I have been neutered and have a microchip. I am
heartworm negative and take preventative medicine every month, as all dogs
should.

My Biggest Fan thinks my ideal home should be a one-dog home, though a
very calm, very unpossessive dog in the family would not be
automatically ruled out. I get pretty excited when I see cats, and since I
haven’t lived in a home with cats during my “formative period” it is probably
safer to say that a cat brother or sister would be a big risk.
Actually, as far as anyone knows, I have nvere ever lived in a home, so my
Forever Family will need to know about crate training. I am very happy
to go in a crate when I need to travel in the SUV or dry after a bath or
things like that, so crate training should be cake!

I sure would love it if you came to see me sometime. Company is always
welcome. If you think you might like to make a space for me in your
family, please visit the rescue’s website to fill out an application.
If you don’t think I am the dog for you, maybe you’d like one of my
neighbors. I’d be really happy to see them get a home. To be honest, I
am getting all-too-used-to being passed over, so I won’ be surprised
if you choose someone else. But if you have a few extra minutes after
you pick another dog, maybe you cold stop by my place and rub my belly?
I really love it when people rub my belly. The only thing I think
I’d love more is if someone rubbed my belly while I laid on the floor in
my new Forever Home.

Applications can be found at www.northmecklenburganimalrescue.org

“We hope this will prove to be a useful addition to the personal service that Jerry Green Dog Rescue staff provide at all our centres. It doesn’t replace our traditional individual approach to matching adopters and dogs but rather we hope it will enhance that service.” Desmond Bergin, Chief Executive, went on, “It’s critical to our success that we do everything possible to get this matching right first time and the new website will provide all the background information that prospective adopters need to inform their own decision-making about adopting a rescue dog.”

The new website also makes it easier for supporters to donate online through a secure link to support the vital work of Jerry Green Dog Rescue. In 2008, it will cost more than £1 million to run Jerry Green Dog Rescue’s seven centres and the charity is heavily dependent on public generosity.

www.jerrygreendogs.org.uk 

Staffordshire Bull Terriers face a life time of a bad reputation to our disbelief. We are hoping that by highlighting how lovely these dogs can be that people may give them a chance and adopt a needy Staffie from a rescue centre such as ourselves who have many Staffies in kennels looking for homes.

Often when public visit our centre they will say “you have a lot of Staffies at the moment” which is very true. Unfortunately we have a large amount of Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeders in our area and the cute pups often become unwanted adult dogs in a rescue centre. The problem we face is the reputation about this breed. As the press sometimes highlights dog attacks especially about bull terrier breeds people are scared to have a Staffie in their homes. So our plea is for people to research the breed and realise that Staffie’s can be loving family pets. It’s usually only avid Staffie fans that comment on how great a Staffie can be in a home. When we mention Staffies many people reply with “oh no I couldn’t possibly have a Staffie I have children” to our disbelief many people still don’t realise the Staffies were once nickname the “nanny dog” because they were such good family pets. Admittedly Staffies can be aggressive with animals if not introduced from a young age but most Staffies are very loyal to children and are easy to train.

At the Jerry Green dog rescue centre in Blidworth we have many unwanted Staffies looking for loving homes. They are well behaved and loving pets looking for someone to love. Can we make a difference to peoples opinions? I truly hope so as Staffies are facing such crisis as being put to sleep around the country just because no one will take them in.

The site contains details of thousands of dogs currently living in rescue centres across the UK, and allows potential new owners to search relevant criteria for a suitable dog. On the site experts from CEVA will also offer advice on behaviour and taking on a rescue dog, as well as answering questions from worried owners considering giving their dog up for adoption.

Fabienne Maçon-Slater, Small Animal Marketing Manager at CEVA Animal Health elaborates, “Due to their often difficult start in life and their very different life in kennels, anxiety related behaviour problems are common amongst recently re-homed dogs. We hope to help address this problem and, using our expertise and innovative portfolio of pheromone products, help reduce the number of dogs returning to centres time and time again.”

“We are delighted to have CEVA on board as our principle sponsor,’ announced Ryan O’Meara, Managing Director of K9 Media Ltd who operate the Dogsblog.com website, ‘We hope to benefit from their experience and look forward to working with them on future campaigns.

Our first year was an enormous success. Over a thousand dogs found new homes via the website - this year, as well as increasing the number of dogs we help to find new homes we’re also hoping our relationship with CEVA can enable us to offer practical advice and assistance to people who may be struggling with their dogs and might be considering giving them up. We believe it is as important to try and do something to reduce the volume of dogs going into rescue system in the first place as much it is to find new, permanent homes for those dogs who are already seeking new homes”.

Thanks to the work undertaken by charitable organisations there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of stray/unwanted dogs in the UK over the last ten years. However, progress has now stagnated. Despite a year on year increase in the number of dogs re-homed, the population of rescue dogs has remained consistent for the last four years. In 2007, 7,892 of these dogs were destroyed¹.

To combat these figures CEVA and Dogsblog.com are delighted to be able to announce ‘Dog Adoption Month’ in July 2008, to raise awareness of dogs looking for new homes. A series of educational activities and awareness initiatives are planned to help reduce the number of new dogs ending up in rescue centres each year and to promote the concept of adopting a dog to the UK public.

D.A.P.^® is a synthetic canine appeasing pheromone, a substance produced naturally by a lactating bitch to reassure and calm puppies, also proven to have a positive relaxing and comforting influence on adult dogs. The convenient new D.A.P.^® Collar formulation is particularly suitable to help comfort and reassure rescue dogs while they adapt to a new home.

For more information on dogsblog.com, National Dog Adoption Month and using D.A.P.^® to help rescue dogs call the CEVA Customer Support Line on 01494 781510

References:

Dogs Trust (2007), Stray Dogs Survey, accessed online at www.dogstrust.org.uk/press_office/stray-dog-survey-2007/

Castleford’s Ponderosa dog and cat rescue centre has won a valuable £500 donation from the UK’s leading pet insurance provider Petplan.  The rescue centre, which operates as a charity, will use the money to contribute towards the veterinary costs it faces on the animals it takes in.

Petplan works with more re-homing charities than any other insurer to help fund the care of thousands of homeless cats and dogs.  The company offers a cover note for six weeks free insurance to every owner adopting pets through the shelters it supports and also donates vouchers for insurance to visitors and supporters of the charities.  Each month a prize draw is held from all the vouchers and cover notes issued and one charity benefits from the prize fund.

Michael Banks has been running Ponderosa, which can take up to 40 dogs and 20 cats at a time, for 22 years.  He said:  “Many of the animals we take in need building up.  When they come in they are not covered by insurance and veterinary fees are one of our biggest costs so the £500 will be put to very good use.  We have an excellent relationship with Petplan and their support enables us to ensure that the pets we re-home are getting off to a good start with proper insurance cover during the busy period of settling in to their new homes.”

Petplan is committed to supporting the valuable work carried out by animal shelters all over the country, ranging from locally-based charities like Ponderosa to leading national organisations such at Battersea, Cats Protection, Blue Cross and Dogs Trust.

Simon Wheeler, Petplan’s head of marketing said:  “We understand what a difficult time it can be re-homing a cat or dog and are happy to provide the extra peace of mind that insurance cover gives during the first few weeks of an animal’s life in a new environment.  Having your pet insured is an important part of taking care of its future health and making sure that you can manage any unforeseen veterinary costs.”

DogsBlog.com, the UK dog adoption website operated by K9 Media Ltd, is delighted to announce a brand new feature designed to help more dogs find new, loving homes from within the UK dog welfare network.

In collaboration with a number of online video service providers including YouTube, PetCrash.com and Revver, DogsBlog.com is now able to offer video ’showcases’ for dogs looking for new homes.

Speaking about the video launch, DogsBlog co-founder Kim Bruce had this to say:

Since our launch, DogsBlog has always been proud of the simplicity of the concept. Our goal was to make it easy for people to find the perfect dog for their lifestyle from within the UK dog welfare network. The idea was for the site to be simple to use, fun and easy to get around - as well as providing a level playing field for all charities listed on the site to be able to publicise their dogs to a wide audience. Each charity on the site is listed as an equal, nobody has a higher profile than anyone else. We’re delighted that we achieved our initial DogsBlog goals very quickly and now it’s time to take things to the next level.

We’re also delighted that an incredible 51% of all dogs listed on DogsBlog have found new homes. Our aim now is to grow that even further and we feel that offering video footage of the dogs seeking new owners will help get even more dogs into new, caring homes.

We are very excited and confident that enabling people to actually see the dogs they are considering giving a new home to will greatly increase the number of dogs adopted via the site. Enabling people to watch ‘their’ dog online interacting with people, playing, walking and doing all of the things that dogs do will add an extra dimension to the entire adoption process.

Harnessing the power and reach of the web in order to get dogs into new homes is the very ethos of DogsBlog.com and we’re delighted that it is now so easy to work with video thanks to services such as YouTube and the widespread use of video recording devices on mobile phones. Let’s hope modern technology can assist those dogs who need it most.

An example of a DogsBlog video showcase on behalf of ‘Oreo‘ can be seen at the start of this post or you can view his footage on YouTube here.

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Click here to post a video response.

A shocking 9,000 animals1 in the RSPCA’s care are in need of good new homes as the Society’s first Pet Adoption Week begins (Saturday 20 to Sunday 28 October 2007). This coincides with new research showing people look for the same qualities in both pets and partners2.

According to the light-hearted poll, most people consider personality to be the most important characteristic in both pets and partners3. Sadly the RSPCA can’t help people find a partner - but it could match them with their ideal pet!

Andy Foxcroft, chief officer for the RSPCA inspectorate and the man in charge of the team who rescue and collect so many of these animals, said: “We have thousands of animals looking for new homes through no fault of their own. Adopting an animal from the RSPCA will give one of these lonely hearts a much-needed second chance - and you will be able to enjoy the wonderful feeling of knowing you’ve given a special home to an animal that really needs it.”

During RSPCA Pet Adoption Week (PAW), anyone thinking of getting a pet is encouraged to go to their nearest RSPCA animal centre or branch where they will be advised on which pet could be best for them. The Society will take into account everything that both you and the animal need to give you the best chance of a perfect partnership.

(more…)

The Sheffield based charity has already re-homed 40 Rottweilers this year. John Swinhoe, who established the rescue organisation with his wife Mags, had this to say about their work so far.

“We will do whatever it takes to match the right dog into the right home for that particular dogs needs. No dog is ever knowingly placed into a situation by ZRR, where it would be chained up, used as a guard dog, neglected or used in any other way that would be detrimental to the dog’s health and well being.All the dogs that come under ZRR’s care are neutered/spayed, following a vet’s approval. This is done to eliminate any risk of un-wanted litters, which would defeat ZRR’s objects. All the dogs are also micro-chipped, wormed and vaccinated prior to being re-homed.

Visit the site http://www.zepthedep.com

Wonderful Weasel clicked his paws three times and his wish came true with two new ears and a loving new home.

The staff at Dogs Trust Bridgend are delighted to announce that one of their many special residents, Weasel, has found the perfect family to love him. This beautiful Terrier- who was born with no ears- arrived at Dogs Trust having been handed in to a local police station when he was a tiny pup. Weasel is now  happily at home with his new family in Mold, Clwyd, North Wales.

Brave Weasel has undergone a series of veterinary checks over the last few months and finally had a procedure to open up his ears. He can now hear as well as any other dog which will greatly improve his quality of life..

Beverley Price, Rehoming Centre Manager commented:

“Despite his former disability and recent surgery, Weasel is a fantastic dog. He is happy, friendly and really healthy in every other way. We’re so happy that we found the perfect family to love him forever although Dogs Trust  will miss him lots!”

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, and cares for over 15,000 dogs every year through a network of 17 rehoming centres. Dogs Trust never destroys a healthy dog in its care.

If you would like to find out more about Weasel or rehoming a rescue dog, please call Bridgend Rehoming Centre on 01656 725 219. To find out more about the work of Dogs Trust please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk

Statement

According to Anne Kasica of the SHG “Even if we take out the huge numbers of people who have been terrified into giving up Staffordshire bull terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terrier crosses who were loving family pets as a result of yet another RSPCA campaign on dangerous dogs, the RSPCA are still admitting that our predictions are correct.”