Showing posts with label RSPCA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RSPCA. Show all posts

Monday, 14 January 2013

Rochdale Dog Rescue.....and how we can help.

Bruno

The third in Ralph's features on the plight of animals in general and dogs in particular takes him to Rochdale and a visit to The Rochdale Dog Rescue Centre.  Pat Crabtree established the rescue in 1975 when she began helping unwanted dogs in the Rochdale area. These dogs were either in foster homes or their own homes needing new owners, and Pat began by placing advertisements in the local papers. Over time this developed, with more dogs being helped in this way.

In 1993 Coryn Shields lost her own dog (Sam the Boxer) to cancer, and when she felt ready to re-home a rescue dog she answered one of Pat's adverts. Two year old Bruno was suggested as a suitable match, and an introduction followed; it was love at first sight. A special bond was formed and Bruno became Coryn's new companion.

Having seen the good that Pat was doing Coryn offered to help if she could ever be of use.





Jake



Little did Coryn know that just a few hours later she would be driving around in the dead of night hunting for a missing dog with Pat, and another new friendship was born. Thanks to Bruno bringing them together Pat and Coryn worked together for two years, developing Rochdale Dog Rescue and re-homing more dogs in Rochdale and the surrounding areas, and in 1994 Coryn added to her family with Zara, a bitch who'd come into rescue heavily pregnant having been found as a stray.


In 1995 Pat moved out of the area, and Coryn took over the day to day management of re-homing.








As time went on, Coryn was contacted on occasions by a local Dog Warden, asking for help to save a dog in the pound who had run out of time. Although this was not a regular part of the work of Rochdale Dog Rescue, Coryn realised that there was a whole group of dogs whose plight she had previously been unaware of, and between 2004 and 2005 she began to develop a relationship with this particular pound.In March 2005 a formal link with the pound was formed, and Rochdale Dog Rescue began to offer help for all of the dogs reaching the end of their 7 days.

The team developed too, with new volunteers joining Coryn to take on other roles. In January 2006 the website became live and Rochdale Dog Rescue in its current form was born.











Image: Dean
Please help.....


Rochdale Dog Rescue are currently facing a very uncertain future during this current economic climate as they receive fewer donations and have to pay more for our emergency boarding - their account is currently in the red and it is a real struggle each month to cover their costs for the dogs we have in their care let alone to continue to save more dogs from the pound - monthly bills are often close to £2000.

The number of dogs coming in is ever increasing as more people abandon their dogs, causing them to struggle to pay the bills and they anticipate that things will only get worse - the summer holidays can be an especially bad time as uncaring owners really do abandon their dogs before the holidays not seeming to care they are at a real risk of being put to sleep if it was not for organisations such as Rochdale Dog Rescue.


Rochdale Dog Rescue are there for all the dogs who find themselves abandoned and alone, they work really hard to save the dogs in the pound who face being put to sleep and we never turn a dog away regardless of breed/age/health/temperament. These dogs come in all shapes, ages and sizes and all of them deserve the chance of a safe future and to be loved.









Image: Bertie
Bertie
The number of dogs in boarding has steadily increased as the dogs in their care will stay with us for as long as it takes to secure a rescue space or their forever homes - like lovely Bertie who has been with them for a while patiently waiting for a rescue space or loving home and they'll continue to keep him safe but need to raise vital funds in order to be able to do so.


Sadly there are just not enough funds to guarantee the security of these dogs until their rescue space or forever home arrives.

They don't like to ask our generous supporters and visitors for more, but unfortunately unless they do so the future of the dogs in the pound and emergency boarding will be uncertain; there's a real danger that they'll run out of funds! 

It costs us £5-8 a day to board a dog ..... and of course the dogs receive any vets treatment they need as well as being neutered, vaccinated and microchipped if they are with them for longer or being re-homed directly by themselves.... no donation is too small to help them through these difficult times.

There are many ways to help them raise funds in addition to donations. Please take a look at their Fundraising Forums for details on these and other ways to help.

If you are able to donate or even set up a monthly donation the button below will directly take you to Paypal. Donations can also be made by Cheque or BACS please contact them for more details.







 
Payment Options
 






Thursday, 10 January 2013

Alfie's Law.....and how we can help


Following writing a piece on Serbia's forgotten dogs Ralph had the opportunity to interview a young bearded collie called Alfie who, along with some friends started a campaign to help to raise awareness of the current law in the UK regarding animal abuse, neglect & murder and how the sentences are not being used to the maximum. Too often minimum fines are given to people who inflict the most disgusting abuse and harm to our animals.

Click here to sign the petition 



I asked Alfie what had inspired him.....




"Paws for thought Alfie's Law came about from an idea I had with a few of my wonderful friends after reading some dreadful stories of abuse inflicted on animals. Most of them too horrific to even mention."




And how would the campaign have an impact?  




"This campaign will help to raise awareness of the current law in the UK regarding animal abuse, neglect & murder and how the sentences are not being used to the maximum. Too often minimum fines are given to people who inflict the most disgusting abuse and harm to our animals."




So what's the current situation in this country?  



"Within the UK Judicial System, sentencing guidelines are set by the Sentencing Council and they provide detailed guidance to Magistrates Courts across the UK. These guidelines state that offences of Animal Cruelty (as described in the Animal Welfare Act 2006) is triable only summarily (cannot go to Crown Court) and carry a maximum penalty of £20,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment)."



Then surely that's a deterrent isn't it?  



" No, not really as It is highly unlikely that anyone would receive the maximum sentence and usually dis- proportionate fines are imposed."






So what are the aims of Alphie's Law?





"We'd like to see a zero tolerance on animal abuse as there is absolutely no excuse for it." 

"Also we would also like to see sentencing increased to a maximum of 2 years custodial and a lifetime ban for persistent or serious offenders."




"Finally we'd like to see animal protection agencies (such as the RSPCA) become part of the Criminal Justice System under the stewardship of the Crown Prosecution Service."

"They can then continue to undertake prosecutions within the law but will not have to pay the prosecution costs. This would allow them financially to provide better training, recruit more inspectors & support re-homing centres with the money they receive in donations from the public."

So how can we help?



"Everyone can help by supporting the campaign, spreading the word, especially on Twitter and Facebook where you can follow me and of course signing the petition."


So there you are animal lovers.....help Alfie's Law by signing the petition now.....it needs 100,000 signatures!  Surely with the viral potential of Twitter and Facebook we can get Alphie's petition past the 100,000 mark soon.....

Status Update: 3rd Jan 18:00 
      25,395 signatures!.
Petition Status: LIVE (day 217)


                                                                     Please remember to check for a confirmation e mail or your signature will not be counted