By Debbie Hill (Chairman)
https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk
Back in the May edition of GSD League Magazine we reported that we had over 80 dogs in our care. That number is now well over 110, with 30 of them with us for life. Sadly that means we've reached the stage of having to turn dogs away now.
As much as our heart breaks for them, we need to draw the line, or risk the dogs already in our care. It's not about finding more kennel space, but how do we fund that expansion? And maintain a decent quality of life for our charges?
We still have more every week seeking our support. And we’re seeing more cases with dogs that haven’t been properly raised, and so require significant work to give them a chance at a new home. Some have been passed on to us by the famous rescues able to afford TV advertising. We’ve so often been the last chance for a breed we love so much, but can still be seen with fear by some. What will happen to those dogs now?
It doesn’t sit right and it’s not why we set Welfare up in the first place. We are one of the few rescues who refuse to put a dog down because its health or trauma makes it impossible to rehome.
This is what could happen to the German Shepherds we turn away. By the time people come to us to ask us to take them, they have already made their minds up that they don't want the dog. If the world were a better place then such people would be held responsible, but we have to deal with the world as it is – not how we wish it to be.
There needs to be a longer term solution. A way that every aspect of the dog world works together to minimise rescues like us having to pick up the pieces. There’s no single, or simple answer, but despite our current situation we’ve started to help by providing advice and knowledge not only to the adopters, but available to anyone who can access our website.
But that doesn’t ease the immediate situation, but neither can we take in more dogs. A difficult decision, one made fully aware of the likely consequences.
But then we were alerted to this…
Here we meet Bella and her five pups. It’s hard to believe looking at them that they’re nine months old. We immediately organised a rescue, and even though we’d seen the photos, it didn’t prepare you for the reality. Or the stench…
They existed in a tiny space barely sufficient for one dog, let alone six. A small scattering of cheap feed cast on the floor. Not enough for them all, so they had to snatch what little they could before the others did.
They lived in their own filth, literally encrusted in their own faeces and urine. It was so engrained we couldn’t wash it out, and had to cut the fur off.
We’ve set up a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for their immediate care – if you can help then please donate to their fundraiser, even just a small contribution soon mounts up.
Of course we couldn’t say no – we’re teetering on the edge, but not quite fallen yet. So far we’ve received a wonderful response and we’re humbled by people’s generosity. With our care bills at £25,000 per month we obviously need to generate a substantial income to keep things running.
We do have some reserves, but with this level of spend we’ll burn through it at an alarming rate.
The biggest positive impact would be finding more adopters for those dogs suitable for rehoming. The reason we exist is to rescue these vulnerable German Shepherds and find them new homes and a life they deserve – not the one they’ve suffered.
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