I really believe it is better to adopt a homeless dog than buy a purpose-bred puppy. Obviously there are dog fanciers, trainers and breeders around the world who would disagree but for ordinary folk like me who aren’t interested in a dog’s pedigree, I think it is a kinder option to consider. Particularly when you visit a place like the one I went to this morning – the local dog pound.
I rolled up at 7.30am to find out about becoming a volunteer dog walker with the local dog rehousing program. I was the first one there and the sound from the dogs locked up inside the council compound just tore at my heart. They’d heard the car and obviously knew it was time for some food and human attention.
This dog rehousing program was started about 7 years ago by Ludelle, a retired local lady. Ludelle was shocked at the number of unclaimed and abandoned dogs which had to be destroyed by council each year and aims to give them a second chance at finding a good and loving home. The council gives her space for four dogs at the pound, and she has a network of foster carers who take extra dogs on a temporary basis until permanent homes are found. She can save as many dogs as she has space and foster carers available.
Today I met Ludelle and another volunteer dog walker, Fiona. While Ludelle was cleaning out the pens and preparing the dogs’ meals Fiona and I took each dog for a good 20 minute walk. Although there are only four pens, at the moment there are five dogs being cared for there, the fifth is housed in the corridor between the pens.
There was an exuberant young black Labrador male named Gabe, a young black Kelpie male named Zac and three Staffordshires – Inka, Roxie and Chevy. Chevy was such a joy to watch, his tail wagged the whole time he was on lead and he just seemed so happy to be alive. They were all in wonderful condition, they get veterinary treatment and a good solid meal every day while in Ludelle’s care.
It was a little sad to leave them, their pens are in a windowless shed with a roller door – some daylight enters through a row of brick-sized ventilation holes in the wall. Seems a very dark and dreary place. But the odds are they wont be there long, the rehousing program is apparently pretty successful, Ludelle’s phone rang several times in my hearing (when I wasn’t walking dogs), and she is very strict about the homes she allows them to go to.
Ludelle’s web site – Brave Companion Dog Rescue
