It has been a tough week. Here’s a side of the work we do that is quickly evolving as the needs of rescues and dogs become more challenging by the week.
UK rescues are working harder than ever. Caring for huge numbers of dogs. Preparing them for new lives. But with fewer people choosing to adopt, many are seriously struggling. The dogs with them are staying longer, which means no more can be accepted into their care.
This means dogs are losing their lives because there are no available rescue spaces, and/or adopters for them.
We experienced this hard reality this week. A dog was booked in to the vet and he was not going to walk out. Because the owners decided they could no longer live with him.
Fortunately for this particular dog, Schnauzerfest volunteers worked incredibly hard and very fast to secure his future. We are not exaggerating when we say he was an hour away from his end.
We feel the emotions of this very acutely. We are not a rescue organisation. The hard reality of rescue is difficult for everyone and we are navigating our way through what is a terrible animal welfare crisis. We connect rescues and rehoming charities with owners who need help finding new futures for their dogs. We open doors, we network. We ease misunderstandings about what rescues can or cannot do for dogs who need them. Or, for rescues who may not be familiar with schnauzers, we advocate for them and broaden an understanding of their typical behaviours and traits.
It has been a tough week. But for one dog whose life almost ended, the result makes it all more than worthwhile. It makes it life saving. Literally.
When we can, we will introduce this beautiful boy. His rescue is currently overwhelmed with the number of dogs they are helping. But, one dog is alive today because you help us work with rescues, support them, help them to survive this truly awful crisis. You help rescues be there to help dogs survive and thrive in today’s complicated world. Thank you.