Charity News Update Feb 2009

Dear fantastic Supporters

Thanks to you all, the charity is fighting its way to recovery. Our funding, coming as it does from donations and grants, is still hand to mouth, but with the fantastic help of our supporters, the dedication of our volunteers and an unwavering belief in what we do we are still managing to perform a small miracle. Throughout our crisis our transport system has continued to operate ferrying dogs to other rescues and we have been able to provide short term emergency boarding kennels for the dogs whilst they await movement to rescue spaces. During 2008 we took to rescue 3,117 dogs who would otherwise have been destroyed in the pounds. Recently a pound closed down and we provided rescue spaces and transport for over 35 dogs at short notice.

One of our plans to provide kennelling at a minimal cost, which is tailored to take a dog direct from the pound, is now in operation and is proving to be really fantastic and a life-saver for the pound dog. A wonderful volunteer has converted buildings into 14 kennels and she is running them as a Doris Banham Centre which is a haven for the pound dog. There is opportunity for further conversion and a piece of land has been offered as a possibility for kennels blocks in the future if we can find funding for this. A second project to take over an existing kennels is being trialled at the moment. It has proved very successful and has been indispensible over the difficult Christmas period but the charity would need additional funding and sponsorship to run this on a long-term basis. If it were possible I have no doubt that it would be of tremendous benefit to the pound dog.

We have also managed to find homes and rescue spaces for half of the dogs in boarding. This, together with savings in the boarding bills, has allowed us to care for many dogs who, despite our efforts, received no rescue offers and would therefore have been destroyed, until we can find them forever homes.

I believe we are the only charity that funds veterinary treatment for dogs in the pounds to alleviate their suffering. In the present financial climate we are having to cope with an additional number of dogs abandoned at the pounds because of their veterinary conditions. We have continued to carry out this vital area of our work throughout our crisis, paying off the vets bills when we could but always saving the life first. We have also continued to provide the pound dogs with food, blankets, coats and non-prescription medication throughout this long and very cold winter.

We have improved our system for recording and tracking every dog that is rescued from the pounds by our charity which will greatly help us in our attempts, working alongside doglost sites, to reunite dogs with their owners which is an ultimate aim. We have also submitted a report to Parliament in support of micro-chipping and its benefits for the pound dog.

All in all the light at the end of the tunnel is considerably brighter and I truly believe that with your help we can go to go from strength to strength in our life-saving service for the abused and forgotten pound dog.

We could never have done this without you all and we want to ask you from the bottom of our hearts to please continue to support us – we have so much left to do. Without you we will falter again. The present pound system needs urgent change and the dogs need help whilst that change is brought about - please please continue to stand behind us and together we can save lives, alleviate suffering and improve conditions for fellow creatures who have no voice of their own to tell of their plight.

Original Plea to our supporters

click here

Update Dec 2008 click here

WAYS TO DONATE

Our Zulu's story

ONE RESCUE'S BELIEF IN US

One family's story

trudie.james@yahoo.co.uk

Please email me at

or ring me on 0208 363 9634 if you feel you can offer any further help

Lastly thank you for making possible the miracle we have achieved so far. Thousands of dogs who would have died are in homes healthy and happy because of us and that can never be taken away from us. Every little beating heart is alive because of us we are indeed their last chance. Please help us never to have to give up on these little souls.

Love and thanks to you all from the forgotten dogs.Trudie