June 2012 - The German Shepherd Rescue Trust Newsletter

Incoming Dogs
There has been an enormous amount of activity with incoming dogs in recent weeks; some are already loaded on our website, others are soon to be loaded once assessments have been completed and some have gone straight to new homes from our adoption waiting list. (Adoption numbers are now up to 982).

Unfortunately there seem to be a lot of rehome requests. Please be mindful that we are predominately a ’rescue’ organisation rather than a rehoming service. Priority will always be given to dogs without owners; dogs who have no one to care for or help them. More than half of the dogs in the last 6 months have been from families who no longer want or are able to care for their dogs. While some rehome requests are genuine cases, there are some families who believe that by relinquishing a 5 year old dog who is entire, unregistered, unvaccinated etc. for rehoming, they are providing someone with an ‘opportunity’. Our limited financial resources go to ‘rescue’ dogs. While we are happy to offer assistance in rehoming situations we cannot sustain the costs of accommodating dogs from private homes, paying for their desexing and registrations etc. particularly when these are all things owners should have done anyway.

Older dogs
While there’s no denying puppies are cute and fun and energetic and playful, adopting an older dog can prove to be very rewarding. I personally don’t think I will ever take on a puppy again. Our last three dogs have all been adults. By adopting an older dog you avoid the toilet training, general obedience in a lot of cases has already been done; nothing gets chewed or dug up – an older dog is generally calmer and just happy to be given a human who will care for him or her. I have recently assessed two absolutely delightful seniors – Caesar who is 8 years old and Paige who is 9.5 years old (see our homes needed page on our website). Physically and mentally both of these dogs defy their age. Caesar is very spritely and fit and full of enthusiasm and happily and eagerly goes for two walks a day. Paige is just the sweetest girl who, at 9.5 years is still very playful and very loving. She just needs someone to see out her days with – which realistically could still be a few years away. And as awful as it may sound to some people, there are situations where folk just can’t be without a dog but can’t make that 10-12 year commitment knowing their lives will change – which is often how we end up with so many dogs needing to be rehomed. People just don’t see the long term plan sometimes! So please consider some of the older dogs – some of our members can attest to the advantages of adopting an older dog!

Facebook page
Facebook is the new Email I think! I resisted it for a long time but social media is a fantastic way to reach so many people and groups. You can gain access to our Facebook page through the home page on our website (www.gsdrescue.org.nz).

Monthly Fundraisers
It’s great to see people coming down for a visit at the monthly fundraisers at Animates, Porana Rd Glenfield; keep it up. It is such a pleasure to put names to faces and of course to see some of the dogs we’ve helped place.

Just a point of clarification for those of you who haven’t yet made your way to one of these fundraisers – as much as we’d like to be some days, these fundraisers are not in a park-like setting where we can all gather around and have family picnics/barbecues. They are more in the form of a sausage sizzle, under a pop-up pagoda but we do very well with them in helping boost our bank balance!

Pet Expo 25-26th August
We will have a stand at Pet Expo again this year although we will be in a slightly different position from previous years. Our stand attracts a lot of attention and has often caused a bottle-neck situation so we have taken the opportunity to move where we will have more space, so please come and help support the trust. Please also note though that this is not an open invitation for your dogs. As some of your know the Expo is an extremely busy weekend with thousands of people passing through. Members of the public are asked not to bring their own animals to the Expo. However, if you feel your rescue dog would do the Trust proud by displaying good manners, not barking or reacting to other dogs or animals and being able to cope with the noise and throngs of people please let us know so we can schedule how many dogs will attend and when. But it is a big ask for the dogs believe me!

Dog Registrations
Current registrations expire on the 30th of this month. As you know there has been much activity and media focus on dog registration and fees so it will be interesting to see what the final rate wil be as set by Auckland City Council. Whatever it may be though, DO NOT FORGET to renew your dog’s registration.

Health Tips
We’re going to try to include in our newsletters now, snippets of information that might help with health issues in your dogs. I’ve chosen kennel cough because two dogs I assessed recently had succumbed to it.

Kennel cough, the common name that is given to infectious canine tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease among dogs.

Young puppies can suffer the most severe complications that can result from this disease because they have an underdeveloped immune system. Also at increased risk are older dogs though, who have decreased immune capabilities, and pregnant bitches, who also have lowered immunity to infections.

What are the Symptoms
Dry hacking cough is the most common symptom
• Cough may sound like honking and can sometimes result in retching. It might start with your dog sounding as if he has a tickle in his throat.
• There is often a watery nasal discharge
• In mild cases, dogs would most likely be active and eating normally but in severe cases, symptoms progress and can include pneumonia, fever, lethargy and even death
• Unvaccinated puppies and young dogs, or immunocompromised dogs might experience the most severe symptoms of the disease

Causes
The most common and important organism that causes kennel cough is the parainfluenza virus. This particular virus causes gentle symptoms that last less than a week, unless there is other bacteria present. Vaccination is important but there is no vaccination that will protect your dog 100% from kennel cough. Some vets might suggest because it’s viral it just needs to run it’s course; others might prescribe antibiotics depending on the dog, symptoms etc.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis for kennel cough is usually based upon the type of symptoms that are being presented and your dog's exposure to other dogs. The two dogs I saw were in a pound situation which ultimately ended up with 99% of their ‘guests’ having kennel cough. Animal shelters, pounds, boarding kennels etc. are prime breeding grounds for this virus because of the high density of dogs in one space – because it is so contagious. Hence why boarding kennels are so strict on making sure your dog has been fully vaccinated before becoming one of their guests.

2013 Calendar
Next year’s calendar will be extra special as it marks the 10th Anniversary of the formation of German Shepherd Rescue so it will be a Special Edition – maybe even a collector’s item!. To ensure we reach as many GSD Rescue Dog owners as possible to tell them about this special issue, if you have moved since you adopted your dog and/or have changed your email address please send us the updated contact information because we will be sending a mail out of submission forms for photographs. Some of the email addresses we have on file have bounced back, particularly those who were with xtra as an ISP.

Until next time
Colleen Johnson
on behalf of the Trustees