July 2010 Newsletter
Registration reminder – I know this came up last month but we’re into renewal season now so just a reminder that you will be eligible for discounts if your registration fees paid are early but you will also incur penalties if you pay late – not to mention the fines if dog registration is not paid at all so get yourselves into gear and get it paid.
Adoption numbers are now at 845 (at the time the last newsletter was done, just over a month ago, we were at 838 dogs). We have also received rehome requests for 5 other dogs. We’re waiting on further information for them but this means there are 13 GSDs this month alone looking for new homes.
Planning – Although this is something we hope is still a long way off for most, none of us really know when we’ll meet our maker. Recently, as some of you know, two beautiful dogs came under our umbrella (Zar and Duke can be seen on the homes needed page). Their story was a very sad but genuine one. Their owner had passed away and although Zar and Duke were the most important thing to him, there was no provision made Zar and Duke’s so their futures became very uncertain. It might not occur to some people that their people’s could outlive them but it is so important to make provision for your pets in your will or in writing somewhere,. Who will take care of them, what will happen to them, where will they go……. These are all things you need to consider.
Adoption requirements – Recently Denise posted a message on the message board regarding adoption requirements and although it is quite lengthy and may seem like a bit of a rant to some, it was and is necessary to point things out. Taking any animal into your care requires thoughtful planning, short term and long term; consideration of the terms and conditions around adoption and why we have some of these requirements in place. Remember we are a rescue group – our aim is to give a dog a “new leash on life” – that means ensuring to the best of our ability, that he/she will placed in a situation superior to where he/she has been removed from – and that also includes finding someone who will just simply commit to the dog for the rest of it’s life. It’s not that hard – sadly dogs don’t have the same life span humans do. It’s not a lot to ask really – to care and provide for an animal for the rest of it’s life!
Rehoming – As a follow on from last month regarding ‘rehoming’ dogs from owners who can no longer care for them compared with dogs who are ‘rescued’ from pounds or neglectful situations, some people seem to think they are doing us a favour in letting us ‘have’ their dog and cannot see why WE don't cover the cost of registration, vaccinations and desexing because after all ‘it is a pedigree dog’. Registration, desexing, vaccinations - these are all basic requirements that every responsible, caring dog owner should do from the moment the dog joins their home until the day the dog leaves. We cannot use our hard earned funds, which we’ve had to raise ourselves, to cover these costs; those funds are there primarily for sick and injured animals – the true rescue situations. Unfortunately some owners just do not understand that. As an example, the perfect home was found for a young dog living in a small apartment. A meeting was arranged to assess the dog and the prospective new owner actually drove from the Waikato for the introduction; he also took his current dog with him to ensure they’d all get along. He was offering 12 acres of land with someone home most of the day; the plus being he was already a rescue-dog owner of several years so we knew the dog would have had a wonderful home. However; due to our strict desexing policy the incumbent owner did not want the dog desexed so chose to put him on TradeMe as an entire dog because HE didn't feel the dog should lose his manly parts (very responsible and caring!)
Breeders - Titan, who can been seen on the homes needed page, was taken into foster care because his owners were going overseas and only gave us a few days to find him a home. Unfortunately Titan came to us about 15kg under his ideal weight so needs to be in fostercare until he is at a more acceptable weight. When we know which kennels these dogs originate from we will contact the breeders so they can update their records. When Titan’s breeder was informed of his sorry state (the photo supplied was not recent) she was most concerned and immediately supplied a bag of food for his foster care; she asked us to let her know if more was required and also donated $100 towards his registration fee. We have been fortunate in receiving the support of many breeders when their dogs come through to rescue; if only all breeders were as concerned, responsible and caring. Unfortunately Denise received severe abuse from one breeder when advising her we had rescued a dog from their breeding, who was going to be euthanized after he had been voluntarily signed over by his owner. Denise was told “this is the second time you have done this to me”, as if Denise had somehow personally been responsible for putting the dog in the pound. She was even further abused when the breeder was told the dog had been neutered. Despite the fact the dog was in Wellington, a volunteer had transported him to the airport and flown him to Auckland at the Trust’s expense, desexed and rehomed him, the breeder could only be abusive! Thank you so very much to the breeders who do appreciate our efforts.
Winter living for dogs - they feel the cold too so please think about their comfort during winter, particularly the older and/or less mobile animals or those who suffer from joint problems. Check their ears and paws – do they feel cold? Are they wrapped up in a ball with their tail tucked over their nose – these could all be signs that your dog is cold. If your dog is outside during the day when you’re not home please think about the kennel or shelter that you have (hopefully) provided and whether the dog can keep warm and dry in there until you get home! Is it draft and leak proof! Would you be comfortable in there?
Medical insurance – Medical insurance for pets was once never thought of - now it’s almost a ‘must have’ as veterinary care costs more and more. Most of us have experienced unexpected illnesses and/or necessary surgeries for our gets so we know it can cost a lot of money to give our friends the care they need (in Shelby’s case she would have died had we not had surgery – to the tune of $3500). Illnesses and accidents can strike at any time so try not to think about whether you can afford pet insurance – think about whether you can afford not to have it. There are a number of reputable companies around now so each offering a variety of plans to suit most people’s need. Ellenco Enterprizes, Pet Plan, Pet-n-Sur and one other but the name escapes me just now
Where do your donations go? Without donations we would not be able to provide the much needed treatment and food for some of the dogs that come into our care. Vet bills for the last financial year were in excess of $14,000.00; food for foster dogs $3,000.00; pound fees (to have dogs released from pounds) nearly $2,000.00 not to mention the flea and worm treatments, collars and leads. Only a couple of weeks ago, with the help of Forrest Hill Veterinary Clinic Team and the Trust we were able to save an 18 month old GSD from being put to sleep because of an extremely bad cruciate ligament rupture. Our medical fund, built up by our calendar sales each year and the kind donations received from fellow GSD lovers, enabled us to proceed with Max’s (no. 839) surgery; happily Max is expected to make a good recovery. His owners are following instructions to the letter and even though it is not easy keeping a young adolescent dog on crate rest, they are doing a superb job of nursing Max and providing mental stimulation for Max. Max's stitches came out last Thursday and all is looking good.
Birthdays - Denise would like to pass on her thanks for the birthday wishes and the many unexpected cards received in the mail – she says “I was so touched by them”
So until next time – be kind to your best friend, love him and kiss and cuddle him daily – and it will come back 10-fold
Colleen Johnson
Trustee
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