Thought Members would like an insight into why & how we help German Shepherds in Ireland .
A day , A week , A month in a rescue dogs life & his foster parents .
Dogs find themselves in the pounds in Ireland because they are no longer wanted by their families . Some people surrender them for personal circumstanes or just because thay dont want them anymore . Dogs that are surendered can be homed immediatly .
When strays are found they also get put into the pound , they have to serve 7 days just incase their owners come forward .
German Shepherds are a restricted breed in Ireland , along with many others . They have to be muzzled & kept on a lead in a public place ...
Restricted breeds will get pts first ..
When dogs have done their time or surrender the aim is to to get them out so they are safe , either in foster or kennels , this is all done by volunteers .. This also costs money ..
Kennelling costs approx £5 a day ..
Dogs that go into kennels will be checked by a vet , have their
vaccinations ,neutered or spayed & assessed before travelling to the UK , this will take approx 10-14 days .
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Sussex Rescue will get regular updates on how the dogs are doing , their tempermant , if they seem good with other dogs etc .
Once we know the age , more details , the right foster home will be found here in the UK .
After the dog has been neutered £120 for female , £60 for male )& vaccinated and the kennels/foster think the dog is fit to travel , a space on the transport will be booked ,
Depending where the dog is in Ireland & where is going to in the Uk it is booked on a specific transport , this will consist of a large crate .
The dogs wont be fed the day they are leaving , they will have water & water on the journey ..( The cost is between £50 - £100 depending on the size of the dog .
There will be many dogs travelling together , sometimes cats .
The ferry used mainly is Dublin to Holyhead , the journey is approx 90 minutes .The ferry leaves Dublin around 10pm arrive midnight , then continue south towards London . It will arrive in the Midlands approx 4am . They travel through the night as its not so warm & busy .
On arrival they will be met by the foster parent who now will take care of them & help them on they way to a happy future .
All the work done by Sussex is voluntry ,we dont get paid we want to save dogs lives , especially German Shepherds , because we are passionate about thsi breed .
WE all bring these dogs into our homes & treat them like our own.
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My experience is to bring the dog into my home , let them chill for an hour or so , give them some food & have water availble .
I will introduce one dog at a time .. usually in the garden , after meeting my three dogs they are free to roam around , having a good sniff of each other
The first 24h hrs are chilling out time , learning things about the dog , I take them for a short walk using the 9 metre line so they can stretch their legs ..
I feel its a big responsability , bringing a large dog into your home , giving it love & attention it may never have had , but at the same time its so rewarding .
Each dog will be fed & walked with mine , once in the morning & again in the evening . Some dogs have never lived indoors & can find it hard to adapt , but usually copy the resident dogs .
Some will need up to 4 or 5 meals a day to start building them up .
All the dogs will have been neutered or spayed & had all their vaccinations .I like to take the dog to the vets to get weighed
& checked over ..
Its amazing how they soon adapt to the daily routine..
Over the next fews you will learn things about the dog , then you will know what sort of home the dog needs .. wether it would suite a home with other dogs , an only dog , how strong the dog is on a lead , & if its knows basic commands .
From the day the dog arrives , the fosterer will update daily on their progress with pictures , this will help with the homing
process .
Sussex Rescue home dogs all over the Uk , every home is checked before the dog can be homed .
Its a wonderful feeling knowing you have helped saved a dogs life , but it comes with tears for me anyway , the longer the dog is with you the more attached you get .
After the homed checked is passed , the potential owner is allowed to visit the dog , meeting the whole family ..
They usually walk the dog on a lead , see if they feel its the right dog for them .
If the want the dog to be an addition to their family , they can take them home .There is agreement to be signed this is between Sussex & the new owner . All dogs are homed on the understanding that if in the future the dog is not wanted it must be returned to the rescue .
A standard donation fee is paid .. & the dog travels to begin their new life in a new home .
A dog will take time to adjust again , if you think only a couple of weeks ago this dog .
1 - May have been in a home , taken to the pound to be surrrenderd or found as a stray .
2-Transported into foster or kennels .
3- Been to a vets to be neutered / spayed
- Travelled to the Uk , by ferry & van ( around 12 hr journey )
5- collected by his foster parents & living in a strange home .
6 - Going to live in a forever home .
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I hope that helps you understand what we do as a rescue and how amazing these dogs adapt after what they have been through .
Pam
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thanks to Pam for writing this for me , hope this helps people understnd what we do .
--Last edited by pammy on 2010-06-08 20:50:52 --
lorna2004uk
Posts : 77
Posted 09/06/2010 05:50:00 PM
Thanks a lot goes into it well done ALL of you, I'd love to foster but don't think Stella would be very abliging we still have some issues with her and Sherman. which is a shame would love to help out ,
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