12 Dumped Dogs
A village in Surrey was recently the scene of a difficult, upsetting rescue by Val Philipps, founder of Valgrays Border Collie & Animal Rescue. Val took a phone call from a friend who’d seen an adult dog and puppy running in a field. What awaited Val was what she’s described as one of the ‘most traumatic days in animal rescue’ she’s ever experienced.
It turned out that together with the adult dog, were others, including many puppies. With the help of several people and a drone, eventually all dogs, a total of 12, were safely caught and taken into Val’s experienced care.
“The mothers and puppies were in very bad condition and quite clearly, they had been dumped in the field. Presumably from some form of puppy farm that no longer thought they would be economically viable. This is now being seen more and more frequently and it is devastating to see the suffering that some people will inflict on these innocent dogs.”
Val and her team of volunteers have been busy bathing, cleaning, grooming and caring for the traumatised dogs. They are scared and confused but with each day, gradually coming to understand they are now safe and nobody means them harm.
The dogs and puppies are several breeds including schnauzers. All require veterinary treatment, including all the basics such as worming and vaccinations, ear infections, spaying and some may require additional interventions.
The UK is currently in the middle of an animal welfare crisis caused by a rise in pet ownership rates colliding with cost-of-living pressures, according to the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes.
The callous dumping of puppies and parent dogs like this, reflects some of the crisis that’s being faced by rescues. Valgrays was established in 1978, is a registered charity and full member of the Association of Cats and Dogs Homes. For Val, the day she rescued these dogs was one of the most traumatic in all her years in rescue. The crisis is real.
A Schnauzerfest Grant is assisting Valgrays with the veterinary costs in this distressing case.