Friday, 14 October 2022

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 57 - Meet Micky

Day 57 of our 100 Days with 100 Dogs feature sits on Vet Nurse Day and I learned that the first recorded veterinary practitioner was in Mesopotamia some 5,000 years ago - someone called Urlugaledinna. So a shout-out to all the nurses who help take care of our animals!

Today we meet another dog looking for his new home - can you help?


Meet Micky

Micky is a 7 year old German Shepherd male who has had to come back to welfare after his owner tragically passed away. He would live with another large dog, although it would need to be female. 

Unfortunately, he's had a few bad experiences with other dogs and it has affected his behaviour with them so he can be reactive on walks. He's excellent with people and children, but not with cats.

He is neutered and is currently in Clacton, Essex.

Please Like, Follow and share as widely as possible so we can find Micky his new home. If you'd like to offer him a home then contact us via the form on this page:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/

Monday, 10 October 2022

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 56 - Bottom Biting isn't Nice

Day 56 of our 100 Days with 100 Dogs has nothing to do with today's pupdate (who despite being told this feature wasn't about her insisted and casually mentioned bottom biting as a likely consequence of not doing as I was told). Still, it is a timely reminder that our dogs deserve their mental health to be cared for as well as their physical condition. Simple things like allowing your dog time to stop and sniff while on a walk and providing games for more significant enrichment can greatly help improve a bored dog's quality of life.

And as for Bitey McBiteyBottom...

Tia's Pupdates - Meeting Lionel

Hello everypawdy. Tia here with my latest pupdate. I want to introduce you to my new friend. His name is Lionel. I think the hooman was trying to keep him for herself as she can be mean like that. 

I'm too clever for her though and sneaked him away when she wasn't looking. I don't see why she deserves all the good things! As you can see we play really fun games together.  

I think Rodney is a bit jealous that I have a new friend but he is still my boyfriend. I must go as I'm going to parade Lionel in front of Rodney to make him jealous. Love Tia and ta-ta for now! ❤❤❤

Update

Like many of us, Lionel didn't survive unscathed from Tia's attentions. If you're a member of our Facebook group then you could bid and win yourself this little piece of luck (well It does look a bit like a ginger rabbit's foot) and enjoy its alleged (and totally unproven) mystical protection.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/230713463690105

Sunday, 9 October 2022

A Line We Never Wanted to Cross

 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. 

https://gofund.me/83d84241

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.

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 55 - Meet Lola

Day 55 of our 100 Days with 100 Dogs and it happens to coincide with Beer and Pizza Day - which sounds like a fun way to spend the rest of the day. 

We also meet another young dog ready to find their forever home - can you help?

Meet Lola

Lola is a 3 year old black and tan coated female German Shepherd. She has a fantastic temperament around people but is scared of other dogs. Because of this, she will need to be the only pet. 

Lola's new family will need to be patient and help her build her confidence. Lola isn't cat tested. She's currently located in Stamford, South Lincolnshire.

If you'd like to offer Lola her new home then please contact us via the form here:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/

It's also our monthly Live Q&A Session with our resident behavioural specialist Lisa Hird allows the Friends of GSD Welfare subscribers an open forum to ask any questions they might have. The group also hosts regular live sessions with other key speakers and topics including:

 - Do No Harm with Roman Gottfriend

 - Zoopharmacognosy with Victoria Dorman

 - Dog Trauma Live Session with Rachel Leather

 - Dr Conor Brady  - Gastric Torsion

Become a subscriber for only £3 per month:

https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/become-friend-of-gsd-welfare.html


Saturday, 8 October 2022

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 54 - Meet Nala

Day 53 of our 100 Days with 100 Dogs series introduces us to another young lady looking for her new home...

Meet Nala

This pretty girl is Nala. She is a 2 year old short coat, sable-coloured female German Shepherd. Nala chooses who she wants to be friends with and predominantly prefers the company of men. 

She is quite athletic in that she can jump 5 feet in the air so a secure garden is definitely a requirement. Nala's perfect home would be with someone who lives alone (preferably male)  and once she's bonded with you she will be your friend for life. 

Nala is currently located in Stamford, South Lincolnshire.

Please Follow, Comment and Share to help Nala find her new home.

If you can offer Nala her new home then get in touch with us via the form on this page:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/

Other dogs ready for re-homing can be found on our website here:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/dogslist/

Halloween Horror Auction - First Week

 



The Halloween Horror Auction's first week is almost done and there are some fantastic items already listed, with more coming over the coming week, and then beyond until Halloween itself. Each auction is only a week long - so make sure to get your bids in early!

Here are the items listed so far and a warning that the Handmade Witche's Black Goat closes tomorrow, and already has bids so if you're interested you need to act fast.

Please Follow, Like and Share to invite as much attention as possible to raise money for the German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund.

And last, but far from least - a huge thank you to the authors, artists and collectors for providing the auction items, and to those bidding. 💖💖💖


  


Thursday, 6 October 2022

100 Days with 100 Dogs: Day 53 - Bella's Almost Ready

25 days ago we launched an urgent appeal to help fund the rescue and care of Bella and her five pups from horrendous conditions. The response from our supporters was simply amazing and the appeal has reached well over the halfway point.

The dogs have also responded well to their new conditions, although they took considerable cleaning up at first! Three of the pups have found their new homes and we're pleased to announce that Bella will very soon be ready for hers.

If you are able to contribute to the appeal then please do so here, every donation - no matter how large or small helps:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-appeal-for-bella-and-her-five-pups

Meet Bella

This gorgeous girl is Bella. She is approximately 3 years old. We rescued her along with her 5 puppies (who were 9 months old) from dreadful conditions.

They were living in their own filth, so badly that washing alone couldn't remove it and we had to clip them. Some of the puppies were emaciated with bad development through lack of nutrition.

Bella has the sweetest temperament and will be an asset to any family. She won't be ready for a few more weeks, but please get in touch if you'd like to offer her a home. She is not neutered at present but we will probably have her spayed before going to her new home so she can never be in this situation again.

We would prefer Bella to be an only dog. She's not tested with cats and is currently located in Clacton, Essex.

If you can offer her a new home to settle in and enjoy the rest of her life in then please contact us here:

https://www.gsdwelfarefund.co.uk/adopting-a-german-shepherd/