Charities are finding new ways for people to help look after stray and abandoned dogs.
The subject of stray and abandoned dogs is emotive. Nobody likes to picture lonely, unwanted animals locked up in stark concrete-floored kennels at local authority pounds. Yet it’s a problem that has to be faced. Dogs cannot exist in our society without human companions; if they’re found without owners, they end up in the pound. And if new owners can’t be found, dogs may need to be put to sleep.
Every year, Dogs Trust carries out a survey of all UK local authorities to assess the state of the nation’s stray and abandoned dog problem. This year’s survey found that numbers are at an 11-year high, with more than 126,000 dogs being picked up by local authorities over the past 12 months, an increase of four per cent on the previous year.
This means that 345 stray dogs were picked up every day. Of these, 48 per cent were reunited with their owners and 31 per cent were rehoused either directly to the public or via an animal welfare group. Fifteen per cent of the dogs did not have their outcome specified. Around six per cent — 20 dogs every day — were put down.
There is broad agreement on the best way to deal with the problem: reduce the supply of dogs by encouraging spaying and neutering, and ask people to take on rescue animals rather than buy pedigree pets. However, it costs money to send out pro-spaying messages and to subsidise low-cost spay and neuter programmes. And it’s expensive to care for unwanted animals until they find a new home.
Apart from the national charities such as Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Blue Cross and PDSA, there are many regional animal rescue groups. The larger ones, like Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, are well known, but there are thousands of smaller local centres that also do astonishing amounts of good work. None receives government funding: they depend on voluntary donations. And in recent years, these have been declining.
Gifts and legacies from the general public make up the majority of funding for animal charities, but there are some generous corporate initiatives as well.
Petcare brand Pedigree provides a good example of the commercial model: it has just launched its fourth annual Pedigree Adoption Drive, in conjunction with the Petplan Charitable Trust, which raises funds to solve the stray dog crisis. Grants are awarded by an independent adjudication panel to members of the Association of Dogs & Cats Homes (www.adch.org.uk), which represents about 90 animal rescue groups.
Last year alone, grants of almost £250,000 were distributed to 34 rescue homes, providing funding for the refurbishment of kennel blocks, desperately needed veterinary facilities and the supply of essential surgical equipment.
Steve Leonard, the television presenter and wildlife vet who is supporting this year’s Pedigree campaign, said: “Rescue centres across the country are at capacity due to the overwhelming number of stray and abandoned dogs in Britain, a number which is sadly on the rise. We need to work together to make people aware of this issue and educate them about both the benefits and commitment involved in owning a dog.”
As part of the Pedigree campaign, dog lovers are being called upon to take part in the world’s first virtual dog walk around the web. Web users will be able to start their walk from www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.com and every completed walk will unlock a £1 donation from Pedigree until a target of £100,000 is reached.
For more information on the campaign visit www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.com.
Rescue of the week
The Pet Subjects column has decided to play its part in helping to tackle the problem of unwanted dogs: every week, we will feature an animal in a rescue centre that’s looking for a home.
Staff and volunteers at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are appealing to London’s dog lovers to consider giving a home to one of its longest term residents who has been in kennels for the equivalent of 10 dog years.
Hayden, a three year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, was found wandering the streets of the capital and was brought to the safety of the world famous animal charity where he has been waiting for a home for 361 days.
The average stay for dogs at Battersea is 48 days but some, like Hayden, stay much longer. Jenny Dugdale, Team Leader at Battersea says: “We can’t understand why Hayden’s been here for so long, but there’s no time limit on how long dogs stay with us. He’s such a handsome boy and is really eye catching with his unusual markings. Hopefully someone will fall for him soon as he really does deserve to find a loving new family.”
Hayden is a fun and lively boy who likes to keep himself busy. He is looking for active owners who share his lust for life. Hayden would do well with people who enjoy long walks and he would make a good running companion. Although sociable with dogs when out and about, Hayden would rather be the only dog in the house but he may be able to live with a cat.
To find out more about adopting Hayden contact Battersea Dogs & Cats Home on 020 7627 9234 or email rehoming@battersea.org.uk. Visit www.battersea.org.uk.
Gifts and legacies from the general public make up the majority of funding for animal charities, but there are some generous corporate initiatives as well.
Petcare brand Pedigree provides a good example of the commercial model: it has just launched its fourth annual Pedigree Adoption Drive, in conjunction with the Petplan Charitable Trust, which raises funds to solve the stray dog crisis. Grants are awarded by an independent adjudication panel to members of the Association of Dogs & Cats Homes (www.adch.org.uk), which represents about 90 animal rescue groups.
Last year alone, grants of almost £250,000 were distributed to 34 rescue homes, providing funding for the refurbishment of kennel blocks, desperately needed veterinary facilities and the supply of essential surgical equipment.
Steve Leonard, the television presenter and wildlife vet who is supporting this year’s Pedigree campaign, said: “Rescue centres across the country are at capacity due to the overwhelming number of stray and abandoned dogs in Britain, a number which is sadly on the rise. We need to work together to make people aware of this issue and educate them about both the benefits and commitment involved in owning a dog.”
As part of the Pedigree campaign, dog lovers are being called upon to take part in the world’s first virtual dog walk around the web. Web users will be able to start their walk from www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.com and every completed walk will unlock a £1 donation from Pedigree until a target of £100,000 is reached.
For more information on the campaign visit www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.com.
Rescue of the week
The Pet Subjects column has decided to play its part in helping to tackle the problem of unwanted dogs: every week, we will feature an animal in a rescue centre that’s looking for a home.
Staff and volunteers at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are appealing to London’s dog lovers to consider giving a home to one of its longest term residents who has been in kennels for the equivalent of 10 dog years.
Hayden, a three year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, was found wandering the streets of the capital and was brought to the safety of the world famous animal charity where he has been waiting for a home for 361 days.
The average stay for dogs at Battersea is 48 days but some, like Hayden, stay much longer. Jenny Dugdale, Team Leader at Battersea says: “We can’t understand why Hayden’s been here for so long, but there’s no time limit on how long dogs stay with us. He’s such a handsome boy and is really eye catching with his unusual markings. Hopefully someone will fall for him soon as he really does deserve to find a loving new family.”
Hayden is a fun and lively boy who likes to keep himself busy. He is looking for active owners who share his lust for life. Hayden would do well with people who enjoy long walks and he would make a good running companion. Although sociable with dogs when out and about, Hayden would rather be the only dog in the house but he may be able to live with a cat.
To find out more about adopting Hayden contact Battersea Dogs & Cats Home on 020 7627 9234 or email rehoming@battersea.org.uk. Visit www.battersea.org.uk.
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