Dec 22nd:
Christmas is almost here and the past 4 weeks have been as exhausting as usual with so many people wanting to offload their unwanted pets before the holiday.Answering the telephone and dealing with so many of these depressing calls requires regular breaks otherwise we would all be tearing our hair out! After all these years, I still cannot understand the thought processes of those who obtain and discard their pets so easily. One caller wanted to get rid of a 4 months old pup but the following day she applied for a pup we had here at the shelter! Did she honestly believe I would do a ‘swap’? Lots of people rang who had just that day become homeless (apparently the tenancy laws of the country do not apply to them!) and needed to find a place for their pets immediately. It never occurs to them that there is not a never ending supply of foster homes, kennels or facilities in which they can dump their pets.Why do they not work this out? Why do they leave it until the day they leave ? Another person wanted rid of a dog because of its unhealthy interest in a new baby so we found the dog a home and guess what? She wants to keep the dog over Christmas because of the children!!! Of course after the holiday she will want us to take him and the home we found will probably have rescued another dog elsewhere.
Lucy, a sweet natured collie needed our help after the family who had her for just a month decided they no longer wanted her because she was nervous round the children. When we went to collect her from the flat ,it was clear the young children in the family were allowed to do what they wanted and climb all over her. What dog would be happy in that situation? It was a miracle that she had not turned aggressive, we are now trying to find her a home where she will be treated as one of the family and not as a toy for children to amuse themselves with. In spite of advice given to the family about the unsuItability Of pets with such small children, a bad taste was left in our mouths when they announced that they would probably get a rabbit and keep it on the balcony ! If only people had to take a suitability test when they have children and another when they apply for a pet. It would probably wheedle out 50 percent of the population.
A different kind of home altogether was given to Holly, our blind puppy mentioned in the last blog. Holly has gone to live with a local family and their dog Millie. Holly has settled immediately and is besotted with her new pal, the pair are always cuddled up together on their bed. We are discerning over all our potential pet homes, but with disabled pets, we have to be so sure that person or family are able to cope. The McGowans with their teenage daughter were ideal and knowing the issues little Holly was experiencing (rickets and a possible heart murmer) they were still happy to adopt her. This kind of result gives us all a boost.
Several of our cats and kittens have been reserved and will be leaving us In the New Year but there are still kittens being admitted, this is the latest time in the year we have admitted them. As I have mentioned before, global warming affects all aspects of nature including the breeding cycle of animals which has drastically changed over the past few years.Each year we seem to be admitting young animals later and later, whereas in previous years we seldom ,if ever, saw kittens between October and April.
31st December:
After the hectic time pre Xmas, the holiday itself was peaceful and quiet. Everybody too busy with the festivities to be thinking of anything else although sadly three dogs were left unclaimed at the local Dog Pound! I am currently trying to sort out foster care for them
photos; Blind pup Holly with her new family. Lucy collie.
