Earlier in the month I accompanied Matthew Davies, the CEO of Pets at Home on a tour of our West London Rehoming Centre in Harefield. Dogs Trust has always worked well with Pets at Home and we value their dedicated stance on not selling puppies. During the summer the centre really looks at its best and it is really heart warming to see people meeting and bonding with dogs in the beautifully landscaped outside areas. It was wonderful when Matthew summed up his tour by telling me that it had been a real privilege to visit the centre and see so many gorgeous, happy dogs.

With the closure of Walthamstow Stadium last weekend – greyhounds have been hitting the headlines. Many journalists have chosen to go down the nostalgic route in their articles – lamenting the demise of the sport and reminiscing about the so called ‘glory days’ of dog racing. I would have preferred them to dedicate more column inches to considering the rehoming process that will follow the closure.

Last week I was in Ireland to talk to the Greyhound Industry about plans for changes to the rules governing greyhound racing in the UK and how we are hoping that they can contribute to better welfare for the dogs. I had never been involved in a video conferencing situation before and, call me old fashioned, but I think there is nothing like meeting people face to face, but it was a fascinating process!

The paucity of reliable numbers that the Industry has is always one that starts the welfare debate.   If you don’t know how many are bred, how they are bred and where they go to, it’s no basis for making plans to improve the situation.  So that is where we started and I believe we have set up a baseline to move forward.

It is wonderful that greyhounds remain in the public eye and our meeting coincided with the release of the names of those appointed to take over the management and running of the new Board, as proposed by Lord Donoughue.  It may sometimes feel like an uphill struggle but we’ll keep going.

It was horrifying to watch last night's Pedigree Dogs Exposed programme on BBC1. I am very aware that the Kennel Club has been making significant efforts in the recent past to persuade breed clubs that they need to make more effort to eradicate genetic disease and carefully control inbreeding. We hope this programme provides them with the impetus and muscle to accelerate their plans.

 Dogs Trust is aware that there are many genetic defects in pedigree dogs which cause significant health and welfare problems. We see many afflicted dogs in our Rehoming Centres and deal with the consequences. Not just the physical problems but also the mental anguish. Dogs Trust recognises that the majority of breeders are responsible and prioritise the welfare of their dogs; but we believe that the following four steps would help reduce the suffering of some pedigree dogs.

 1.      Existing legislation needs to be changed to prevent inappropriate breeding practices such as those highlighted in the programme

2.      There needs to be genetic screening of all breeding stock and the assured integrity of such a process

3.      Breed standards need to be reviewed and where necessary revised to ensure they are firmly focused on the health and well being of the dog, not the aesthetics of the breed. Breeders and show judges must adhere to these revised breed standards.

4.      When people buy a dog, they need to think about where they are buying it from. Although we always urge people to first consider a rescue dog, if they do want a pedigree, people should buy from a Kennel Club accredited breeder. They must find out the dogs genetic heritage and get a screen test before buying. Let's not pander to uncaring breeders

 

We will be working with the Kennel Club and Defra on these points, but I urge Dogs Trust supporters who watched the documentary and want to help bring about constructive change to write to Lord Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health at Defra requesting the above steps. Similarly we would welcome our supporters’ suggestions of how the situation can be improved.

Last week I visited our Ilfracombe Rehoming Centre - it really must be one of the prettiest of all our locations especially when the sun is shining. Despite being compact, it manages to find homes for many, many dogs.

I enjoyed a guided tour and was really gratified to see so how many of the residents had been snapped up and were waiting to go to their new homes. Amongst all the wonderful dogs, two gorgeous Westies – Bill and Ben - caught my eye. They had been bought in as their owner had sadly died. Because she was carrying one of our Canine Care Cards it meant that we were able to step in quickly and take care of the dogs. Although Bill and Ben are rather elderly with a minor few health problems, they will make wonderful companions to the right rehomer and I’m looking forward to hearing about their new life soon.

The main reason I was visiting Ilfracombe was to present one of our staff, Sophie Eaton with her NVQ award. We take the training of our staff very seriously and were delighted that Sophie received a Highly Commended NVQ Certificate in Animal Care Level 2. From starting with Dogs Trust as a volunteer, Sophie has progressed and proved an essential part of the Ilfracombe team as a Canine Carer. She is now working towards her Level 3 NVQ.

We recently invited representatives from ten animal welfare organisations from around Europe to come and learn about Dogs Trust work practices, and hear about their issues and concerns.

It was heart-warming to be able to help like minded people who devote themselves to the care of dogs in other countries, especially when some have to battle on a daily basis to provide basic care for their animals.

The delegates came from Hungary, France, Serbia, Romania and Poland. Not only did they benefit from learning about our field work, communication, buildings, fundraising and marketing practices, but they also struck up friendships together. Throughout the visit they found they were able to support and advise each other on shared problems. Now they have returned home, they are still in regular email contact with each other and with us.

From their subsequent feedback we know how much the delegates valued their time with us and we’re looking forward to hearing their updates about which Dog Trust practices they have been able to replicate within their own organisations.

The summer is approaching and soon we shall all be more inclined towards spending time in the great outdoors.

This is especially welcome news for the dog owners amongst us, who will find their daily walks with their canine friends distinctly more enjoyable. This country is blessed with such beautiful countryside, and what better way to enjoy it than with a four –legged companion? If you are not lucky enough to have a dog at present, we at Dogs Trust are always on the look out for new volunteers to assist with walking the 16,000 dogs in our care.

Enjoying the sunshine with your dog is one of life’s little pleasures, and provided owners are responsible and follow a few simple rules such as keeping their dogs on leads by roads, or and cleaning up after themselves, it is no more anti-social than going for a walk alone.

It is with disappointment then, that we are receiving reports from some of our supporters that some Local Authorities and Parish councils are trying to introduce rather draconian measures to ban dog walking in certain areas or forcing owners to keep their dogs on leads at all times, even in parks and fields. Now one of the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 is that animals should ‘be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns”. For dogs this will clearly include the ability to exercise the dog off the lead in an appropriate place, enjoying all the sights and smells our green spaces have to offer them.

Strict Dog Control orders punish both dogs and owners for the sins of the irresponsible few. If you have any concerns about any measures being taken in your area, don’t forget to inform us. We have been instrumental in overturning such measures in the past but we can only do this if you let us know!

Some of you may have been watching Dog Rescue, a fly-on-the-wall documentary about Dogs Trust West London and Manchester Dogs Home which is screened on ITV every Sunday evening for the next three weeks. It had 3.2 million viewers in the second week, which is a staggering number and so heartwarming to see that rescue dogs are topping the TV viewing charts!

For the past few months an ITV film crew has been following staff at our Rehoming Centre in Harefield, West London, to capture the day to day life of a busy dog rescue centre.

We think it’s a great opportunity to dispel some stereotypes about rescue centres – the Harefield centre is bright, airy and welcoming. The centre itself is situated in 16 acres of farmland that gives wonderful facilities for the dogs, far from the popular view that rescue kennels are dark, dirty, dingy and sad places.

Since opening in 2006 the centre has welcomed over 80,000 people through its doors and successfully rehomed 2,050 dogs of all shapes and sizes ranging from Great Danes to Pekingese. That’s a fantastic achievement and one that we are very proud of!

Our Harefield Training and Behaviour Advisor Carmel has been advising owners of problem pooches on the programme but if you missed an episode and also have a capering canine then you can always go to the information part of our website http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/information/ where you can get some great tips on improving your dog’s behaviour.

We’re very excited to have our dogs on prime time TV and would love to hear what you think about the show in the coming weeks. You can send us your comments to pressoffice@dogstrust.org.uk.

Happy viewing!

Our very first Dogs Trust Honours Awards…

“The doggy Oscars” 2008

  What an exciting start to 2008 it has been for us with our very first Dogs Trust Honours Awards which took place in early February at the Guildhall in the City of London. This was such a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the wonderful relationship between man and dog and everyone had a memorable evening.

 

The night couldn’t have happened without our amazing nominees. Each dog had a different but equally moving tale to tell. So moving were the stories that there was hardly a dry eye in the house! Although there could only be one winner of each category it was a winning evening for all of them and their owners were so proud to have their furry friends out on the town for a black tie evening in London!

 

If you haven’t read the stories of heroism, lifetime achievement or how dogs have triumphed over adversity I would encourage you to have a read through some of them at http://www.dogstrusthonours.co.uk/.

 

The incredible story of Nicole Dryburgh and her two faithful friends, Molly and Daizy is enough to melt the most hardened of hearts. This is a prime example of the wonderful relationship between man and dog. The bravery of a young girl through her illness and disability is somehow connected to the unconditional love that these two dogs have for her. This hero dog story is just one of the many moving examples of how dogs can enhance the lives of their owners.

 

One of the nice things about writing a blog during the run up to Christmas is that amid the frantic business of shopping, cooking and socialising it gives one the perfect excuse to spend a quiet moment reflecting on the past year and planning for the future.

It would be quite wrong of me to write a festive blog (ugly word, useful tool) without mentioning my favourite saying

‘A dog is for life not just for Christmas’

After all it was thirty years ago this month that I first came up with that phrase and although it is often borrowed by advertisers and journalists alike, I believe most people understand it is a plea for restraint.

Why restraint? Because when faced with a sweet wriggling pup it can be very hard to resist getting the old wallet out. I realise that I talking to the converted and most of you will realise this anyway but maybe there is a reader out there still considering a pup as a present. I urge you to remember that the tiny bundle of fur will grow up into a full sized dog that needs walking, feeding, grooming and affection every day – for the next 13 years at least. Hopefully you can see why giving someone a 13 year commitment is not the greatest Christmas present ever.

Plus the Christmas season is an artificially busy time when most people have time off work and there are many more people at home with the time to care for a pup. However, come January and the return of ‘nine to five’ looking after the pup suddenly becomes yet another chore.

Historically, Feb and March are the months when those pups unlucky enough to have been given as a present end up being shown the door. Some will have lost their puppyish good looks, and others may be badly behaved if no one has taken the time to give them basic training. If they are truly unlucky they will simply be left out to wander. If their owner has an ounce of commonsense they will be taken to a rescue centre. One thing is for certain though; it’s the human to blame, not the canine.

My dearest wish this, and every, Christmas is that no pup is given as a present. Perhaps this will be the first year my wish comes true!

I’d hate to end on a downbeat note, so finally may I offer my warmest, most heartfelt thanks to all of you for your support during the year. Without your help not a single dog could have been rehomed and so on behalf of all the dogs and staff at Dogs Trust – Thank you.

Finally, may I wish you a very happy Christmas and a joyous new year!

As one of the assessors for Lord Donoughue’s independent review, I am pleased that the long awaited report into the Regulation of the Greyhound Industry has now been published.  I am sure the next few weeks will see a flurry of activity with differing views on what is, and what is not, included in the 150 page report. 

There will undoubtedly be those who think it is the answer to the future of greyhound racing and others that feel it has not been as revolutionary as they had hoped and expected.

Having come to the end I can now say that I feel privileged to have been invited to join the review team to promote welfare.  When first invited, I recognised that this could well be a poisoned chalice, and that I would have to battle for every morsel of welfare content.   It soon became clear that the reverse was to be true. 

Appreciating that Lord Donoughue had been asked to look at the regulation of the sport, he was also only too well aware of the negative publicity surrounding the Seaham disaster and, as a dog lover himself, was keen to incorporate as many welfare aspects as was appropriate to ensure there was no repeat of the very damaging and widespread condemnation of the sport.   

I didn’t win every battle but I do believe that the most important elements have been included. 

Welfare organisations have long requested statutory regulation – this was because of the historic and inherent distrust of the industry, and one that has been ongoing for many years.   There has, I believe, been a general acceptance that the industry has begun to put more effort into welfare standards and enforcement of their rules. 

However, Ireland is an area where I believe a great deal more work has to be completed.  Lord Donoughue has suggested that governments and officials from both sides of the Irish Sea must get together to try to bring excess breeding under control, and this has my wholehearted support.

Also, I did not support or fight for a welfare body to be represented on the main Board.  I thought long and hard about this, but believe we are better served being on the outside with a better opportunity to lobby when required.  The welfare side should be well supported by veterinarians on the Board.

On a more positive note, the registration from ear marking (at 12/15 weeks) of all greyhounds will enable the protection of dogs through to their “proper” retirement -  backed by robust IT systems, and enforced by a single Regulator will do untold good for the many (we believe) thousands of greyhounds who go “missing” each year.

Breeders and trainers inspected and licensed will undoubtedly add an extra dimension to protect the greyhound.

There are many other measures included in the report which are positive in terms of welfare, but one last recommendation is to encourage the industry to carry out research, there is a paucity of knowledge on some very fundamental issues such as tracks/ their maintenance/safe transport/propitious age to start racing/statistics on injuries.  All these could give added comfort and protection to this majestic and beautiful breed.

I commend the Report and hope most sincerely that the Industry pick it up, implement the recommendations and enforce them just as swiftly as possible