PLEASE HELP

Written by Ruth Stevens

Every year in Australia thousands of dogs are destroyed in pounds and shelters.

Reasons for them being ultimately destroyed include being impounded as a stray, being surrendered by their owners, or dumped at the pound gates.

Some of these dogs have been impulse buys from pet shops or unwanted gifts.   If you do wish to add a canine companion to your family, please buy from a registered breeder or alternatively please consider giving a rescue dog a home.

Some of the thousands of death row dogs are saved by “rescue groups” but many many more are just put to sleep.

If you love dogs and would like to help, one of the ways to do this is to apply to become a foster carer for a dog, through a rescue organisation near you.  Foster carers are needed urgently by all rescue groups to save lives of dogs that are in the pound through no fault of their own.

The rescue organisation pays for all the vet fees incurred and all dogs are micro chipped, vaccinated if needed, and desexed before adoption.

A foster carer has the dog in their own home and is able to assess the dog’s temperament and suitability for a new home by including the dog in daily activities and family life.

Provision can be made for breed preference, as it is helpful to have carers who are experienced in certain breeds, and size requirements can also be taken in to consideration.

Other much appreciated ways to assist former death row dogs include providing transport, monetary donations, food and bedding, or just time for walking, grooming or washing dogs.

If you can’t help in these ways, please desex, microchip and register your pet to ensure you don’t add to the growing problem of dogs in pounds and the daily destruction.

But if you love dogs and wish to help a rescue group near you please email fostercareinfo@dodo.com.au  giving your suburb or town and state. A return email will advise you of rescue organisations near you.

Thank you