Fetcher Dog aims to alleviate the recent increase in UK dog abandonment by helping UK dog pounds.
Fetcher Dog have stepped up to alleviate the current stray/abandoned dog crisis in the UK and are working closely with Animal Lifeline UK, New Hope Animal Rescue and Swale Borough Council by accepting UK dogs, that have run out of time and options, giving them a second chance to reach their full potential.
The Stray Dog Crisis
The number of dogs being abandoned or given up to UK dog rescue centres has increased immensely recently. 'Pandemic dogs', ie, dogs that were adopted whilst the pandemic's shutdown was in full force are now being abandoned, at an alarming rate, as employees return to offices rather than working from home or realise that their dogs needs and requirements have changed.
There is anecdotal evidence that these dogs arriving at rescue centres across the UK post-pandemic have a higher incidence of health or behavioural problems, or both, making them more difficult to rehome.
Often these dogs have no background information on these issues, which lengthens the adoption process.
Many UK rescue centres are reporting that they are full to capacity, this inevitably leads to more dog abandonment, dog pounds then accepting these dogs resulting in overcrowding which results in dogs being killed.
(Various Sources)
Increase in Dog Abandonment = Overcrowded Rescue Centres
= Overfilled Dog Pounds = Increase in Dog Loss of Life (Euthanasia)
Dog Euthanasia
UK law says local authorities must pay for the safe kennelling of a ‘found’ dog for seven days to allow the owner time to locate it but after that they can be rehomed or killed. As there are not enough kennel spaces for all the stray dogs many are put on “death row” and have a time limit to find a new home, if no one comes forward to offer them a home they will be killed.
In 2011 at least 11,000 healthy dogs were put to sleep for no other reason than they were not wanted
Although this is humanely carried out, it is still taking away the life of an animal that's only crime is being unwanted or neglected.
(I have purposefully not used the term 'put to sleep' as this diminishes the act of taking away the life of a sentient being)
Fetcher Dog - Overview
Our mission is to alleviate the suffering of street dogs from Bosnia and the UK, to own our own kennels and with the help of professional staff, trainers and behaviourists create an environment where dogs can live a protected and supported life and rehome them to adopters who are fully committed to our ethos.
Fetcher Dog, who primarily, rescue dogs from the street of Bosnia and find forever homes in the UK have been approved by dog pounds and local borough councils to accept UK dogs that would be facing euthanasia due to overpopulated shelters and rescue centres.
We now have ten UK dogs at the rescue centre, the dogs from the U.K. pounds have no history, no assessment and have had no veterinary care at all prior to their arrival with us. This will cost more with U.K. vets to prepare them for adoption but will, overall, be cheaper than Bosnian rescues due to transport differences.
Each UK dog will cost the centre £350 for vaccinations, neutering and general medical checks, registrations and microchips and flea/worming treatments to get them ready to rehome. We are also looking into giving all dogs one to one sessions with a behaviourist, at an extra cost.
Please support Fetcher Dog in it's mission to alleviate the suffering of and protect the lives of street dogs around the world.
If you would like to sponsor the journey of one of our dogs, please contact Paul at paul.connor@fetcherdog.com