WILL ANYBODY HELP THE DOGS OF CORNWALL?
Cornwall does not have a dog rescue, rehoming and education centre.
Is a Cornish dog rescue, rehoming and education centre really necessary?
It is vital. Cornwall has more dogs per head of population than anywhere else
in the UK, and yet we don't have an adequate support structure to cope with
these animals when things go wrong, which they do all too often.
The problems encountered include:
* Indiscriminate breeding on a massive scale (dogs = money)
* Breeding from poor stock (inherited temperament and/or physical problems)
* Ignorance about, and unwillingness to neuter and spay
* Inadequate rescue facilities, so dogs are dumped or passed from home to home
* Unsupervised dogs roaming at will
* Dog attacks on other dogs/other animals
* Dog mess not picked up
* Hostility from landlords and councils towards dog owners looking to rent,
* 'Serial' dog owners (get a dog, can't cope, get rid of it, get another, can't cope, etc.)
* Ingrained attitude that 'a dog is just a dog', and has no ability to feel anything
* archaic, distressing methods of 'discipline'
* Unwillingness to treat for fleas/worms, etc.
* Lack of collar and ID
* Incorrect/poor nutrition
Last year we were inundated with phone calls from people seeking
rescue placements for dogs they couldn't, or wouldn't keep. We found ourselves directing people living in Cornwall to dogs homes in
Worcestershire and Wiltshire, because of the lack of adequate Cornish
facilities, and the fact that the Devon rescues, to which we had also been
directing people, were also full. Fortunately the people we spoke to were willing, and able to travel, but what happens to the dogs whose owners
can't, or won't make such a journey?
Canine Crusaders was founded in February 2002 to try to improve dog welfare in Cornwall, and help reduce the number of dogs going needlessly into rescue.
It is heartbreaking, and unbelievably frustrating to have so many requests for help
and know that we can only tackle a tiny proportion, due to lack of funds, facilities and resources. We do what we can, but of course it isn't anywhere near enough.
Every day we are asked to help between one and eight dogs.
We have no kennels, so we rehome either by keeping the dogs in their existing homes or, if that isn't possible, using suitable foster homes as temporary holding points.
All homes are fully checked, and full support is given.
In some cases, we use local boarding kennels until the right home
can be found for a dog. We are asked to take in strays, too,
so we are always on the lookout for more foster homes.
Fostering is a hugely rewarding, two-way process, with both dogs
and foster carers benefitting from the experience.
Canine Crusaders has evolved (and will continue to evolve)
to meet the needs of the Cornish community by:
· Actively promoting responsible dog ownership
· Providing easily accessible education and information
· Liaising with community care workers
· Running an advice line
· Offering advice and support to owners experiencing difficulties
· Rescuing and rehoming dogs
· Encouraging acceptance of the Pathways guidelines to help pet-owning tenants
· Aiming to provide subsidised neutering, spaying and microchipping
We hope one day (the sooner the better) to create a dog's home for Cornwall.
It will be a base from which to carry much needed services out into the community,
and to which members of the community can come.
There is desperate need for a range of services, which we would aim to provide, from information, help, support, advice and training (for people and dogs), educational talks and demonstrations, to the urgently needed affordable neutering, spaying and microchipping, and of course plenty of modern, comfortable kennels, as there will always be dogs made homeless through no fault of their own. We would also like to be able to offer veterinary facilities, both orthodox and complementary.
It would be a wonderful opportunity, too, to provide a range of jobs and training (possibly liaising with the local college),
in an area where employment is still a problem.
WILL YOU HELP US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Will anybody help the dogs of Cornwall?
We desperately need your support!
If you think you might be able to help with any of the following,
please call for a chat:
Fundraising - no matter how small - every contribution helps.
Animal welfare groups are not eligible for lottery funding or other government grants,
so the dogs desperately need your help and support.
Our greatest expenses are: veterinary treatment and medicines, food,
and petrol (for collecting/visiting/transferring dogs and doing 'vet runs').
Collecting - towels/bedding/dog accessories, e.g. baskets, feed and water bowls etc.,
as well as goods and items (including crafts and bric-a-brac)
for car boot and other sales.
Remember us in your will - leave a legacy.
Become a foster home - dogs cannot choose their owners!
So many of them are victims of mismanagement and/or abuse, or just plain bad luck.
Please help us to provide this vital service if you can.
Spread the word - support us by telling people about our work.
Become a sponsor - sponsor a week's petrol, or a bag of food.
We need premises! - Can you help?
We need a dedicated vehicle, equipped to carry more than one dog.
