Post by vivhurley on Oct 25, 2005 10:50:21 GMT 1
SPONSOR A DOG FOR A CHRISTMAS GIFT WITH BITE
To mark the first anniversary of our ‘Sponsor a Dog’ Scheme, we’re calling on all you dog lovers out there to consider sponsoring a pooch as an alternative present for someone that has it all, or for those that want a pet without the daily responsibilities.
“We initially set up the scheme so that people could adopt a dog in spirit,” says Avril Money, animal manager, Gables Farm Dogs’ and Cats’ Home. “However, sponsorship has turned out to be an ideal solution for young families, as well as for other people who would love a dog but can’t support one due to the nature of their lifestyles, work or time commitments,” she adds.
As Gables Farm implements a strict non-euthanasia policy, any dog in its care which is not re-homed within two years is put forward for sponsorship. More often than not, sponsored dogs have behavioural problems, physical disabilities, suffer from anxiety, fear aggression or have protective tendencies. All these conditions make re-homing them difficult and unless a special home is found for them, they spend years at Gables Farm and possibly their whole lifetimes.
“Its safe to say that all the dogs on our sponsorship scheme would make difficult pets but they are wonderful characters,” continues Avril. “We usually find new homes for all the dogs that come into our care but there will always be a few who, due to age, illness or past abuse, are very hard to re-home, or are re-homed but then returned to us. These are our long term residents who still receive the attention and care they need but benefit hugely from their sponsors. Unfortunately, due to modern living, people just don’t have the time and money needed to try and turn them round.”
It costs £60 a week to house, feed and care for each of the 800 dogs that come through the gates of Gables Farm each year. The funds that come from the sponsorship scheme make the dogs’ lives more comfortable and are used to buy interactive toys and training aids.
Due to their independent nature, cats are usually re-homed quite quickly so are not put up for sponsorship. Seven year old Minnie, a plain black cat which finds it hard to sell herself and is a bit feisty, is one of the rare felines who defy this general rule and has resided at the home without being fostered for just over a year.
Anyone can sponsor a dog - families, individuals, businesses, schools, social or service clubs. It costs £4 a month or £48 a year. In return, sponsors receive a photograph of their dog, regular updates and can come and visit their dogs during opening hours at the home. Alternatively, people can sponsor a dog kennel or a cat pen.
More information on the dogs looking for sponsorship can be found by logging onto www.gablesfarm.org.uk and clicking on ‘how you can help’ or by contacting us direct on 01752 331 602.
To mark the first anniversary of our ‘Sponsor a Dog’ Scheme, we’re calling on all you dog lovers out there to consider sponsoring a pooch as an alternative present for someone that has it all, or for those that want a pet without the daily responsibilities.
“We initially set up the scheme so that people could adopt a dog in spirit,” says Avril Money, animal manager, Gables Farm Dogs’ and Cats’ Home. “However, sponsorship has turned out to be an ideal solution for young families, as well as for other people who would love a dog but can’t support one due to the nature of their lifestyles, work or time commitments,” she adds.
As Gables Farm implements a strict non-euthanasia policy, any dog in its care which is not re-homed within two years is put forward for sponsorship. More often than not, sponsored dogs have behavioural problems, physical disabilities, suffer from anxiety, fear aggression or have protective tendencies. All these conditions make re-homing them difficult and unless a special home is found for them, they spend years at Gables Farm and possibly their whole lifetimes.
“Its safe to say that all the dogs on our sponsorship scheme would make difficult pets but they are wonderful characters,” continues Avril. “We usually find new homes for all the dogs that come into our care but there will always be a few who, due to age, illness or past abuse, are very hard to re-home, or are re-homed but then returned to us. These are our long term residents who still receive the attention and care they need but benefit hugely from their sponsors. Unfortunately, due to modern living, people just don’t have the time and money needed to try and turn them round.”
It costs £60 a week to house, feed and care for each of the 800 dogs that come through the gates of Gables Farm each year. The funds that come from the sponsorship scheme make the dogs’ lives more comfortable and are used to buy interactive toys and training aids.
Due to their independent nature, cats are usually re-homed quite quickly so are not put up for sponsorship. Seven year old Minnie, a plain black cat which finds it hard to sell herself and is a bit feisty, is one of the rare felines who defy this general rule and has resided at the home without being fostered for just over a year.
Anyone can sponsor a dog - families, individuals, businesses, schools, social or service clubs. It costs £4 a month or £48 a year. In return, sponsors receive a photograph of their dog, regular updates and can come and visit their dogs during opening hours at the home. Alternatively, people can sponsor a dog kennel or a cat pen.
More information on the dogs looking for sponsorship can be found by logging onto www.gablesfarm.org.uk and clicking on ‘how you can help’ or by contacting us direct on 01752 331 602.