April News Letter Page

Lots of people to thank this month
Chris our webmaster for his continuous hard work on the website.
Geoff, Fay and team at Blackpool Body Art & Tattoo Studio
Hayley at Blackburn Specialist Dog Training for taking Fern the GSD.
Bev & Phil for helping save Tuppence’s life.
Debbie for doing home checks welcome aboard!
Paul for fostering the wild one and for adopting two of the puppies.
Andy & Jay at Heartbeatz Collections for Fundraising.
Phil for your kind donation.
Everyone who sponsored my tattoo - £180.00 raised.
A big thankyou to Uncle Dave who quietly puts up with Janet & I.
Thankyou to all our adopters, foster carers.
A special thankyou to my son David who puts up with me & the dogs and drives me all over Lancashire when a dog needs rescuing.
I am sorry if i have forgotten anyone, didn’t mean too!!

URGENT APPEAL - TUPPENCE

our gorgeous Boxer x needs a foster home urgently to recover from her impending surgery.
She is really a friendly loving dog, her deafness being her only real problem, she is fine with other dogs in fact she is very playful.
We would like her to be in a foster home with no children (because of her disability).
If you could foster Tuppence please call or email us.

UPDATED 10TH APRIL 2009

We now have a home for this little girl, thanks to all who helped.

HELLO FROM BANJO

Hello,
My name is Banjo, I am a two year old Rottie and I thought I could help my mum with the monthly news letter.
It’s been a busy month for Mum, Aunty Janet, Uncle Dave, Uncle Chris and Aunty Odette all excited about the web (spiders! don’t like them much).

Oh and puppies two lots, Uncle Chris and Aunty Odette have the little ones for a few days and we have the four big ones.
My friend Fergie thinks they are hers, she mother’s them and keeps them in check (so how come they are always under my feet) They will be going to new homes soon.
Aunty Janet & Uncle Dave went away this weekend so Max (German Shepherd) stayed with us too! A hetic weekend all round.

Lots of doggies have come through the rescue this month, it made me sad they didn’t have loving homes like we do. But I’m happy now because most have new forever homes and the others are being looked after by new Aunties & Uncles.
The best bit of the day, puppies are fast asleep and that means breakfast for me! Then a nice long walk just mum & me oh and her indoors!.
Kisses to everyone ..
Banjo

Sundown Kennels & Cattery

Sundown kennels situated in Poulton, take in strays and abandoned dogs from the local authority, dog warden and other sources.
As everyone knows the so called pound dogs are kept in kennels for the regulation period then if not re homed are then PTS. Linda does not do this only if a dog cannot be re homed (aggressive or biting or on a vets advice).
Linda and I have weekly contact and if any dog is over it’s due date we at HDR take them, put them into foster care and provide all the care and treatment they may need, we then find a suitable forever home.
A lot of the dogs re homed by us in February came from Sundown. Linda has kept several dogs over the allotted time. Sundown is successful at re homing and welcome the general public hoping they can offer a dog a new home.
A lot of work is being carried out at the kennels to improve conditions for the dogs, Linda took over the kennels not too long ago and sadly the reputation has stuck.
Linda and Elsie have a thankless task when it comes to the “pound dogs”.
Please remember when taking a dog from kennels.:
They will have little medical or behaviour history
They are not assessed,
May not be neutered or spayed,
They will be stressed and scared, they didn't ask to end up in the “pound”.
Sundown Kennels is situated on Old Mains Lane Poulton Tel 01253 884183.

PUPPY FARMS -- NO DEMAND -- NO BUSINESS !!!!!!!!!

A recent episode of the BBC “Rogue Traders” once again highlighted the horrific and indiscriminate trade in puppies.
The puppies are bred for financial gain only.
The welfare of the puppies is of no consideration to these dealers in misery.
The mums are kept in squalid, filthy conditions, they are given just enough to survive and to feed the little ones.

They are packed into tiny holding crates and pens and every time they come into season they are expected to breed if they don’t breed they are of no further use to the breeders and are left to die or are killed (not PTS by a vet).

If there is NO DEMAND then these people have NO BUSINESS!!!!!
The problem is nationwide and a lot of puppies are being exported from Ireland. It is illegal.
Please consider rescue the love & loyalty you receive back is priceless.
ALL THE DOGS SHOWN HAVE BEEN RESCUED

BUYING A PUPPY

Never buy a puppy without visiting the breeder first.
Never send money for a puppy, it is unlikely you would see either.
If they offer to meet you or deliver your puppy, SAY NO.
Ask to see both or at least one of the parents, make a mental note of the conditions and surroundings.
Ask to see the pedigree papers, reputable breeders will always have these available.
The breeder should want to know all about you and where you live.
The welfare of the puppy will be important to the breeder.
Visit the breeder more than once.
Be wary if more than one or two breeds are available.
Check to see if your breeder is KC registered.

PUPPIES BRED INDISCRIMINATLEY ARE LIKELY TO:
Develop disease.
Have temperament problems.
Be difficult to train.
Suffer physical & hereditary defects.
Think carefully before you buy.
Do not buy because you feel sorry for the puppy.
Look for the warning signs, runny nose or eyes, snuffling, laboured breathing, not playful,
Puppies are very playful at eight weeks old, they should be lively and bounding about.
PLEASE CONSIDER RESCUE

Concerning the above articles - From Chris..

The boss asked if I wanted to write something for this months newsletter, and having just put this together I think I'd like to add a few things .. if I may...
When it comes to buying a puppy if you want to know if the breeders are really above board, ask them if there are any endorsements on the pedigree papers that you will be getting.
I'm hoping you will be only dealing with KC reg breeders so these papers will be picked up at the same time as the puppy, NEVER fall for the oldest trick in the book, 'the papers are not back from the Kennel Club, but we will send them on'.

Your papers should have on them 'Progeny Not Eligable for Registration'. (link takes you to Kennel Clubs page on endorsements).
What this means is that untill you have had your new puppy checked by a vet for defects and illnesses, you will not be able to register any puppies that it has, or sires. Once you have proof of having done this the breeder can lift the endorsements.
If a breeder is willing to allow you to breed from the puppy you are taking from them without any checks, in my humble opinion they are cowboys and are probably producing second rate puppies with many side effects listed above.
I deal with German Shepherds more than any other breed of dog and I don't know of one single, reputable breeder that does not endorse their puppies, and most of them add the endorsement for not being allowed to export as well.
If you are set on getting a puppy from a breeder please take your time and do it the right way.. thanks xxx

FOSTER'S NEEDED!!

Please, please could you have a look at the 'Can You Help' page. We are desperate for foster parents and all the information is on there, thanks.