WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE DO IT
The phone rings and we are offered one to ten dogs all at once. Office staff take the details and we go into a 'serious think' mode. Priority is given to any dog on "death row". We have to arrange transport which gives us a few days grace.
Details of dogs from their own homes are recorded. We try to prioritise, often giving a little advice so the situation can be 'managed'. We also have to try and have a space or two for emergencies or any dog we have homed who may need to be returned. Sometimes dogs will 'double up' but as we always have more males than females it can be difficult to find a pair who will get on together.
When the dog arrives from its own home we ask the owner to complete a questionnaire, this helps us to understand the dog and the way its owners have lived with it. This can be a very upsetting time for all. Many tears may be shed and sometimes guilt and anger are very evident. No pressure is placed on a new dog. Staff will speak quietly and offer titbits as we begin our own assessment of the dog.
We can soon tell how much interaction the dog can cope with and staff will then build a good assessment of the dog. A care plan is started straight away, hopefully to help the dog overcome its problems, although not all dogs have problems. Many are so exuberant that often the staff have problems staying upright. There's nothing like a field of Staffordshire clay for testing the tread on your boots.
When a prospective collie owner phones or visits, many questions are asked. The staff are trying to establish lifestyle, level of experience and what the dog is wanted for. Visitors do not walk up and down viewing dogs . This is far too stressful for the dogs and people. The staff bring out any dog thought suitable, to be quietly introduced. Background is explained plus the staff assessment and further visits with dogs and families may be arranged along with home visits if considered necessary.
Once the 'match' is made, we get down to the paperwork. New owners are asked to read and sign a contract agreeing several points. Our dogs leave us micro chipped, with collar and also a pack of useful information including vaccination and worming records. The donation includes the Trusts promise to try to help with any difficulties and to always take dogs back if the need arises. Follow up calls are usually made within a couple of weeks and previous owners are informed that their dog has a new home.
We are often asked if we have a non-destruction policy. The answer is yes and no. No time limits are placed on the dogs who come to us. Some will be here for months; they may be very traumatised and need time to adjust. Some dogs need a very special home and special people who want "a project" don't come along very often. Dogs would be put to sleep on the vets advice if they have severe untreatable medical problems or if they are considered dangerous. There are hefty fines for knowingly passing on a dangerous dog and we all like to sleep with a clear conscience. Occasionally a dog arrives who cannot be helped even after months of trying. We jump through a lot of hoops before we take the decision to euthanase. We hate to fail but have to remember that we were not responsible for getting the dog into the state it was in. However, very few dogs are dangerous and many can be managed with sensible calm handling.
