Urgent help needed : Shelter in desperat need of help !!!!

BlackCat2008

I am appealing to you's all to please help in any way possible to help Ash animal rescue they are in real trouble and need all the help they can get.

At present they are struggling just to feed these animals in which they go to great Lenght's to rescue and rehome, they are a none profit and no kill policy shelter, who also rescue dogs from pounds all over the country, they really need our help.

These animals are our animals and we owe it to them to help look after them they can not fend for them selfs and have no were else to go so please make a donation or offer some help in these dark times for them.

Please do not put this to the back of your mind do it now they are fast running out of food you can make donations on their web site http://www.ashanimalrescue.com or if you can't their are many other ways to help.

I am going to try to get a food drive together and need volunteers from all round the country to help, I first need people with vans or large cars who will be willing to collect the food and delivery it to them, for those living far from Wicklow that can help I will try to make arrangements for them to drop it half way and some one else to carry it on to Ash. Once this is organised I will need people to set up drop zone's for the food, this could be community halls, schools, shopping centre's or even a house that is not to far out of the way, then posters will need to be put up to tell people about it, local radio station to give a shout out on this and news papers, this all needs to be done asap. They can not wait.

If there is anything you can think of to help from jumble sales to shaking a bucket for them please call me on 085 749 7145.

I know animal week is the 4th to the 10th of October but these animals can not wait until then. Please talk to your schools and see if they will help to ask pupils to donate a euro or two for a no uniform day, or if you work for a large company to do the same. Any company, school etc that would be willing to help will also need evidence that this money or food is going to the right place so please ask them for their e-mail, fax no. and phone no. and I will pass this onto them, you can pm it to me along with your own name and no.

This all needs to take place asap and any help is welcome if you know someone in radio or newspapers please ask them if they can pass on the massage.

You can also help by adopting a pet from them if you were thinking of getting one, one less for them to feed is just as much help, they recently tuck in 120 cats and kittens which has pushed them over the edge all in the space of two days so please go see if they have a pet you are looking for from them first.

It has also come to my attention that the pet expo organisers are looking for 500euro from Ash and other shelters to put up a stand at the pet expo RDS and yet they are willing to pay celebs 10,000eure to attend so they can attract people to it I think this is a disgrace when these shelters are struggling to stay a float, so if you are heading there this year please right a dame good letter addressed to the organisers at how disgraceful this is to ask them for money and ask for them when you get there and give them the letter yourself.

I hope you's will all help as I say these are not just shelter animals they are yours and mine and they need our help, if any one out there is good with comeputers and knows of any other sites this can be placed on please don't hesitate to do so.

This couple that run this shelter are the most loving and caring people in the world I have meet them on a few occasions and can honestly say these are the type that should be running the shelters in this country, they turn no animal in need away and care for them like there own children, I was helping to raise funds to build a cattery and new kennels as they are badly needed but all this money has gone now on the basics so please think of them in the further as well.

All and any help is welcomed and needed yesterday.

Hope the mods don't mind me putting this up they are in their darkist time ever and need all the help they can get.

Beth

Posted to my own site. Hopefully they will get the help they need.

anniehoo

Hi...i have a car and can help with transporting food etc! PM me if you would like my help! ASH do great work

Glowing

Just made a donation - where/when are you planning to organise the food drive?

Morganna

Will send a cheque to them .Try the media publicity will help .

Glowing

Try the Sean Moncrieff show on Newstalk .... he reads stuff out from the public regularly

XxlauraxX

maybe fm104 with adrian & jeremy they are usually good when people want to broadcast charities

mobby

Just donated a few bob hope it helps good luck.

BlackCat2008

I can't thank every one enough for your kindness.

I do not have a date for the food drive just yet as I need to get enough people together for it to happen so keep watch!! I'm hoping to get enough replys by the weekend so it can go ahead next week.

Anyone with cars and vans will be contacted then, so please hang in there until I contact you.

Mod's thank you so much for moving this for me and allowing me to post it.

These people are wonderful and do the best they can with what little they have but with out support they can't keep going and to many shelters have already shut down over the same problems.

If anyone is heading to the pet expo this year it would be of help if you could also write a short letter to the organizers who want to charge them and other charities 500 euro plus to set up a stand, while they don't mind paying celebs 10,000 euro too turn up just to attact people, I personnaly think this is a disgrace to ask of any well meaning group who are already struggling to meet the demands of the animals in their care with out having to fork out this kind of money, the organizers are getting any thing between 500 - 3,000 eure or more form companies who are setting up stands, you'd think they'd cut them a bit of slack, so please bring a quick letter along addressed to the organizers to show your disappointment and leave it at the help desk for them to pick up. I for one will not go unless Ash needs help but I will still give in the letter.

Again I will never be able to thank every one enough for your help.

MsFifers

Hi - just made a donation.

I can help with driving food if necessary from Kilkenny/Carlow area. Carlow Volunteer Centre can be a depot for food if you can get anyone to organise the publicity for it in this area.

Beth

BlackCat2008 wrote: »

If anyone is heading to the pet expo this year it would be of help if you could also write a short letter to the organizers who want to charge them and other charities 500 euro plus to set up a stand, while they don't mind paying celebs 10,000 euro too turn up just to attact people, I personnaly think this is a disgrace to ask of any well meaning group who are already struggling to meet the demands of the animals in their care with out having to fork out this kind of money, the organizers are getting any thing between 500 - 3,000 eure or more form companies who are setting up stands, you'd think they'd cut them a bit of slack, so please bring a quick letter along addressed to the organizers to show your disappointment and leave it at the help desk for them to pick up. I for one will not go unless Ash needs help but I will still give in the letter.

I actually didnt know this when Pet Expo were in Cork. I assumed they had set aside X amount of space for rescues and volunteer organisations :mad:

gonzo33

Donation made, I hope it helps.

BlackCat2008

MsFifers wrote: »

Hi - just made a donation.

I can help with driving food if necessary from Kilkenny/Carlow area. Carlow Volunteer Centre can be a depot for food if you can get anyone to organise the publicity for it in this area.

I may have someone there will give you a shout on it tomorrow, I meet her on the weekend and she is thinking about adopting the collie from me she may be able to help organize it too. Fingers crossed.

And thank you very much.

BlackCat2008

Beth wrote: »

I actually didnt know this when Pet Expo were in Cork. I assumed they had set aside X amount of space for rescues and volunteer organisations :mad:

No I have inside info on this and I think they were going to try to charge them 3grand at one stage, meanies:(

Trinity

Oh dear I am so sorry to hear this, they do such trojan work for the animals in this country.

Not much i can do financially bar get a few bags of food with the shopping and you can use my home as a drop zone, i am based northside of Dublin if thats any help?

BlackCat2008

Trinity1 wrote: »

Oh dear I am so sorry to hear this, they do such trojan work for the animals in this country.

Not much i can do financially bar get a few bags of food with the shopping and you can use my home as a drop zone, i am based northside of Dublin if thats any help?

Thank you so much I will keep you in mind, is there any major s.c. over there that you think would be good to do the food drive in ? I haven't live north side for many years now so I'm behind in whats new there.

BlackCat2008

Ok I'm going to set a date for this food drive to go ahead for next Thur. Fri. and just jump into it and hope all go's well, I'm so gratefull for all your help as is Ash that asked me to to thank you's and hopefully those still to come a very very big thank you indeed.

Mean while I hope to carry out the rehoming drive until then.

Trinity

BlackCat2008 wrote: »

Thank you so much I will keep you in mind, is there any major s.c. over there that you think would be good to do the food drive in ? I haven't live north side for many years now so I'm behind in whats new there.

Omni park
Northside
Clarehall
Pavillions

Only ones i can think of! Pics of puppies always pull at the heart strings i dont think a lot of people are aware of whats going on in this country. I lost a foster on sunday and i am devastated.

XxlauraxX

artane
donmaghmede
thats all i can think of glad to hear all the support:)

-aboutagirl-

Made a small donation, hope it helps.

Glowing

How do you do a Food Drive? I'd be happy to help if I knew what was involved

I'm across from Dundrum S.C so I'll help out here ...

carwash_2006

I have 4 10kg bags of Red Mills cat food that are slightly out of date that they can have.

They need to be got from Meath though.

Is there anyone in the Meath area that might be able to get these closer to where they would be needed?

Sigma Force

Could you contact the local national schools?

I did a food drive for (Tipperary) Cottage Rescue where every child in the school was asked to bring in one item for dogs/cats etc. It was a small school but it was very sucessful, all you have to do is get permission from the principle and they just send out a note to the parents (you supply them with a little info on the rescue) and they organise a day or two where kids bring in their item. Hope to do another one this year they have a new principle but hopefully she'll be all for it.

The school had just over 70 pupils but many people brought in more than one item, so there was loads and loads of food and other items as well.
It doesn't break the bank for parents as they are always being asked for money for this and that, it could be they have a pet at home and can donate a tin or bag of dog food or donate an old blanket etc. it all adds up.
Trick is to not put any pressure on the school say to the principle that although they need food now anytime to do the drive will be fine whenever the school has the time. All you have to do then is just to thank the pupils, perhaps send a little note through the school to the parents and take the items straight to the rescue.

It's very simple and very effective and the kids love to help.

There are 3 rescues in our vicinity in Tipperary and yet there are ASH donation buckets in our local Dunnes and other places there is a man that aparently does it to raise funds for the cats at ASH so perhaps contact him and other people like that and see if they can help.

HTH

I would go for the food drive it helps to educate kids and parents as well and to be made aware that there is a rescue in their local area.

dh0661

I've just made a donation to the account on line.

BlackCat2008

Trinity1 wrote: »

Omni park
Northside
Clarehall
Pavillions

Only ones i can think of! Pics of puppies always pull at the heart strings i dont think a lot of people are aware of whats going on in this country. I lost a foster on sunday and i am devastated.

I'm so sorry to hear that, it doesn't hurt any less than if you had them for a life time, I hope this experience will not put you of fostering in the future.

Thank you for your replies.

BlackCat2008

Glowing wrote: »

How do you do a Food Drive? I'd be happy to help if I knew what was involved

I'm across from Dundrum S.C so I'll help out here ...

First of all you have to find shops or shopping centre's to allow you to do it on there premise, then you need to get posters up in the area, round the car park and in shop windows leading to you's, from there you sit and wait and hope it rolls in, people will ask about the charity so it's good to have a read up on them so you can answer their questions and most of all just to thank them for there donation, then transport is needed to get it there.

I am contacting all the head office's for Tesco, Dunne's etc. tomorrow and hopefully we will get the go ahead in the stores we want to run it from. Because this is going to be done in a few parts of the country it's easier to send the proof and insurance details to head office any way, I do how ever have to rely on good will, and that I can keep people who are going to try and con there way in I need to speak to everyone personally and make sure the stores are made aware of the shops that I say are the only one's being used.

So I hope to come back with some good news tomorrow.

BlackCat2008

Guineapigrescue wrote: »

Could you contact the local national schools?

I did a food drive for (Tipperary) Cottage Rescue where every child in the school was asked to bring in one item for dogs/cats etc. It was a small school but it was very sucessful, all you have to do is get permission from the principle and they just send out a note to the parents (you supply them with a little info on the rescue) and they organise a day or two where kids bring in their item. Hope to do another one this year they have a new principle but hopefully she'll be all for it.

The school had just over 70 pupils but many people brought in more than one item, so there was loads and loads of food and other items as well.
It doesn't break the bank for parents as they are always being asked for money for this and that, it could be they have a pet at home and can donate a tin or bag of dog food or donate an old blanket etc. it all adds up.
Trick is to not put any pressure on the school say to the principle that although they need food now anytime to do the drive will be fine whenever the school has the time. All you have to do then is just to thank the pupils, perhaps send a little note through the school to the parents and take the items straight to the rescue.

It's very simple and very effective and the kids love to help.

There are 3 rescues in our vicinity in Tipperary and yet there are ASH donation buckets in our local Dunnes and other places there is a man that aparently does it to raise funds for the cats at ASH so perhaps contact him and other people like that and see if they can help.

HTH

I would go for the food drive it helps to educate kids and parents as well and to be made aware that there is a rescue in their local area.

At present I am waiting on the go ahead from my kids school to bring in 2euro for their logo bug and a no uniform day, problem were I live is that many of the schools in the area support the same charities every year for animal week so I have to start reaching out a little further the second problem is I'm the only one doing the organisation at the minute so it's taking me time to get around to every thing, but I might think about asking them if they would like to choose what they would like to do, I don't mind bringing them in some pets for the kids to meet as well as the pet detective is also helping from another angle and I know he would bring in the sniffer dogs for them to meet.

The worst part of it all is sitting around waiting on people to get back to me so I can put things in to action. I just have to rely on the good will of others to help out too. I just hope it all comes together in the end.

BlackCat2008

carwash_2006 wrote: »

I have 4 10kg bags of Red Mills cat food that are slightly out of date that they can have.

They need to be got from Meath though.

Is there anyone in the Meath area that might be able to get these closer to where they would be needed?

Thats great everything helps, it might take a few days to get some one to you but I will so hold on to it till than, please don't worry about the sell by date there just there by law and not even close to accurate, dry food last for ages.

Thank you very much.

Vel

I've no doubt that Ash do great work and I realise they are straped for cash, time and volunteers but I have a slight concern regarding them. A few months ago some relatives of mine visited ASH to have a look at the dogs and possibly reserve one. They fell in love with one of the dogs and were allowed to take her home that day, with no homecheck. This really worries me as often people are not what they seem or may not even have a secure garden etc. Luckily, my relatives are lovely people and the dog is getting on great but it could easily have been a disaster. Home checks and vetting of potential adopters is vital to ensure that it is the correct home for the dog and this in turn should lessen the likelihood of the dog ending up back in rescue. Its a no brainer as far as I'm concerned.

Can anyone confirm if this was just a once off or if ASH do not in fact homecheck? Thanks

Leeby

Vel wrote: »

I've no doubt that Ash do great work and I realise they are straped for cash, time and volunteers but I have a slight concern regarding them. A few months ago some relatives of mine visited ASH to have a look at the dogs and possibly reserve one. They fell in love with one of the dogs and were allowed to take her home that day, with no homecheck. This really worries me as often people are not what they seem or may not even have a secure garden etc. Luckily, my relatives are lovely people and the dog is getting on great but it could easily have been a disaster. Home checks and vetting of potential adopters is vital to ensure that it is the correct home for the dog and this in turn should lessen the likelihood of the dog ending up back in rescue. Its a no brainer as far as I'm concerned.

Can anyone confirm if this was just a once off or if ASH do not in fact homecheck? Thanks

I got my dog from Ash, no homecheck but they didn't let me bring him home that day. I assured them that the first thing I'd be doing is getting him neutered but their policy was to get him neutered before I take him, and wouldn't be persuaded otherwise, so they're good in that respect. They did ask me a lot of questions about what it's like at home, how many people, garden size, work hours etc. They also told me they may be out for a home check soon but never contacted me. To be fair, I very much doubt that they have the time to do homechecks on every dog. They probably just check the ones where they feel their questions weren'y answered properly.

BlackCat2008

Vel wrote: »

I've no doubt that Ash do great work and I realise they are straped for cash, time and volunteers but I have a slight concern regarding them. A few months ago some relatives of mine visited ASH to have a look at the dogs and possibly reserve one. They fell in love with one of the dogs and were allowed to take her home that day, with no homecheck. This really worries me as often people are not what they seem or may not even have a secure garden etc. Luckily, my relatives are lovely people and the dog is getting on great but it could easily have been a disaster. Home checks and vetting of potential adopters is vital to ensure that it is the correct home for the dog and this in turn should lessen the likelihood of the dog ending up back in rescue. Its a no brainer as far as I'm concerned.

Can anyone confirm if this was just a once off or if ASH do not in fact homecheck? Thanks

They do have a home check policy for before or after you adopt as wella s a return policy if things don't work out.

The biggest problem is getting volunteers to do these home checks, so it's not always possible to check them all, by asking all the questions they have a fare idea of who best to check up on and who they think will be fine without one, it's not ideal but what can they do ???

I'll try to get them on boards to answer your question as I don't know the answer to them 100%. I'll give them a ring tomorrow and ask, you can also find a run down of their policies on their web page.

http://www.ashanimalrescue.com

BlackCat2008

Again I have to sit and wait till monday to get answers from the supermarkets and shopping centre's to go ahead with the food drive this seems to be such a long prosses no wonder charities are going under.

bnagrrl

Made a donation online. Hope it helps you guys.

MissyN

Hey there, I made a donation on line. You're doing a great job here BC2008.

BlackCat2008

Again no word from tesco and have to drive out to Dunnes HO to leave in a letter because they don't except hotmail or yahoo e-mail I don't know of any other e-mail than msn and they are looking for info I haven't a clue of to set up an e-mail, anyway heading into tech threads now to see if I can save myself a trip tomorrow.

BlackCat2008

Don't think this food drive will happen ant time soon the supermarkets can't do it on such short notice, but I do hope when the time comes everyone can still offer their help, Hve one more to hear from so fingers crossed.

I'll be going down Fri or Sat for defo, their site is down so I'll have to post pitures on a new site for them until they get it up and running again so everyone can have a look see.

SuzyS1972

My friends mum got a dog from them who had not long had a litter of puppies. They took her home that day - she wasn't neutered.
I was shocked to be honest as quite honestly how could they know that these people wouldn't let her out to roam and she'd be pregnant again in no time with another 6 or more unwanted dogs.
Luckily these are responsible dog owners and she has been neutered since and is the love of their life but things could have been all so different.

I understand they may not have the resources to home vet for every dog but
neutering animals before they leave ( if a suitable age ) then we are peeing against the wind in our struggle to keep down the numbers of unwanted dogs in Ireland.

Just my tuppence worth :pac:

Vel

Wow, I'm quite shocked by that Suzy and its worse than I thought.

Unfortunately, not all dogs can be saved and in my opinion it is better for a rescue to only take on an amount they can handle. A homecheck and spaying/neutering should be the most important and basic requirement and if you don't do this you are not rehoming responsibly and only contributing to the problem.

I think on a thread requesting help for an organisation this is vital information to have because personally I would not support a rescue who do not homecheck and spay/neuter.

BlackCat2008

Are you sure you have your facts right on that suzy, I've met these people a few times and there priorities are the same as mine, Test, vac's and neuter, I don't believe for one minute they let a dog leave unentered, if they did they would have made the new owners prove they would neuter her and be sent back the bill or some form of prove to prove it.

I am also aware of how bitchy other shelters can be when one is getting help or publicity the other can't help but tear them down for there own benefit and this is something I hope to start a thread on when I have time to answer posts.

The reason I support this shelter is I have never heard a bad word from them putting any other shelter down, they my not be the most up to date shelter but me and others are helping them to get there. They love these animals and how they are handled when I've been around is with respect, they learn each animal and it's needs not shuff them in a cage and forget them, they have earned my respect from one rescue to another, the pet detective and empoyee's, Pete Weatherbryne, Tv'3 and more people come form all over Europe to volunteer and when I arrive down on Sat I will have at leased five Dane's to help me get the photo's I need to help them get re-homed.

And yes Vel I've heard these same words come from a shelter I was speaking to recently who I know do not support them and tried putting them down on radio because they managed to raise just a little more money that year than they did.

I am aware who comes on boards and other chat sites and I knew what I was getting into but your words will not take from the good work these people do or people have seen for them selfs

I can only say to anyone who wants to pull them down to pay them a visit and I promise you's in no time at all they will earn your respect.

CrowdedHouse

BlackCat2008

Slightly OT but do you know if they have any Basset Hounds at the moment ?

We were in touch with them before some time ago,I assume they kept our contact details,but we never heard any more.

Libby029

Have made a donation...i rescued my dog from a shelter and she is love of my life.

As for dogs that are not neutered when leaving the shelter... do people not think that the fact this organisation is saving dogs that mostly likely would have been put down.. have enough expenses without trying to pay for such procedures... I think if you are taking a dog and it doesn't happen to be neutered, it makes sense that the new owner do it!! If they can afford to take on a dog and all the vetinary bills that the dog will have throughout it's life.. what is one more bill!! It's not that expensive.

I really do think highly of these organisations!!

SuzyS1972

no i think neutering is vital - you can do all the good work withe the greatest heart in the world but unless these dogs are neutered full stop the cycle of unwanted pups will never end . I have seen 1st hand people being given dogs trust vouchers taking a dog from a pound and still bringing it back pregnant - with the best of intentions people do not always do what they say.
it's up to rescues taking in these dogs to be part of the bigger picture and help prevent more unwanted dogs.

Beth

The bitch we got from a rescue wasnt spayed. Not because the rescue isnt responsible - they were looking out for her. she hadnt had a season at all and were waiting on it. We happened to fall in love with her before her season arrived and so adopted her.

She went in for spaying today (emergency spay due to pyo) just a small bit earlier than intended - and the rescue was notified of the date the spaying would be done.

As part of the adoption contract, it was specified that she was to be spayed at the end of August. If we didnt follow the contract, then the rescue were entitled to take her off us. <-- which I completely agree with.

She was only coming into season the day we got her so the rescue didnt even know it yet. Because of her coming into season and the vet advising us to wait longer than August for spaying to let the hormones return to normal levels, we checked with the rescue to see if this was ok with them. We AND the rescue wanted the best for our bitch so it was ok for us to wait as per the vets instructions. If we didnt get her spayed, then the rescue would be fully entitled to take her back off us as it states that in the contract, as well as the spaying being stated.

We prevented her getting pregnant while having an intact male in the house, and others can too, until the dog is spayed or neutered. Yes it was stressful having him wanting her, and her wanting him, but it wasnt as stressful as her having puppies would have been :eek:

I thought most rescues operated with a contract now? Doesn't that take care of the whole spayed/not spayed issue?

BlackCat2008

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

BlackCat2008

Slightly OT but do you know if they have any Basset Hounds at the moment ?

We were in touch with them before some time ago,I assume they kept our contact details,but we never heard any more.

I'll be down on Sat. and I'll Check my self for you, sorry about the OT business just that I work or am in contact with alot of shelters or charities all over the country, none but a few are willing to work with each other and the rest haven't a good word between them for each other, sorry. That conversation was just repation to my of a Charity I spook to just last week, these people do good work along with a few others who don't mouth and I wouldn't like any one not to donate because this is one of these shelters or charities trying to stop them getting funding, all shelters have a hard time now and again and they should be aloud ask for extra help if they need it. sorry I'm ranting just annoyed is all.

BlackCat2008

It is a shame that these shelters can put there trust in people to neuter them selfs even with a voucher, as they only end up being given back ready to have pups, I am aware the pounds don't neuter and this is mainly because of funding and the fact is if a dog is not adopted it's pts a waste of money as such but they really should do it them selfs once the adoption papers are signed, and not rely on jo soap too.

A contract should be writen up and inforced if they allow them to be taken before the age or if there over the age, they use to put all uneutered animals down in shelters, which has anly changed in the last few years.

I am hoping to take on a working dog soon and need a dog under 6 months so I can make sure they live well with cats and my first priority will be to neuter, all my animals here if under 6 months are tested for felv and then vac's, if they are rehomed they go with a contract to my vet to have the neutering done along with a felv and fiv test(cost the same for both and felv vac's are not 100%) and my vet tells me if they been for sure, I ask for the fiv to be done on the grounds that the cat remains indoors if it's positve (Thank god, touch wood all have been clear) then they no longer have me to answer to and are free to keep the cat.
If they are older then it's all done by me, and all leave with being told if anything should happen even ten yrs from now that you can't keep them or pay for vet bills (ie. they loss there job or it cost alot) they can give them back to me or I will help with the bills. Same go's for the dogs but for test unless their ill and it's always been that way here.

I'm only small time and struggle to keep up some times but neutering come's before the rest if I'm behind for any reason, with out more being born the rest is easy to keep up with but for those bigger than me it's a lot to take on and has a big effect on male behaver if they are not done meaning no one will want them. I have one male dog due to be done and his behaver is bad, so I don't know how shelters that don't neuter manage to re-rehome them. But again it all boils down to how they are funded too.

If the shelters would work with each other three or four togather could afford to have their own vet and premisses. It makes more since than having to pay out for full vet bills.

Sorry if you ever meet me you have my premission to kick me for ranting.

Vel

BlackCat2008 wrote: »

Are you sure you have your facts right on that suzy, I've met these people a few times and there priorities are the same as mine, Test, vac's and neuter, I don't believe for one minute they let a dog leave unentered, if they did they would have made the new owners prove they would neuter her and be sent back the bill or some form of prove to prove it.

I am also aware of how bitchy other shelters can be when one is getting help or publicity the other can't help but tear them down for there own benefit and this is something I hope to start a thread on when I have time to answer posts.

The reason I support this shelter is I have never heard a bad word from them putting any other shelter down, they my not be the most up to date shelter but me and others are helping them to get there. They love these animals and how they are handled when I've been around is with respect, they learn each animal and it's needs not shuff them in a cage and forget them, they have earned my respect from one rescue to another, the pet detective and empoyee's, Pete Weatherbryne, Tv'3 and more people come form all over Europe to volunteer and when I arrive down on Sat I will have at leased five Dane's to help me get the photo's I need to help them get re-homed.

And yes Vel I've heard these same words come from a shelter I was speaking to recently who I know do not support them and tried putting them down on radio because they managed to raise just a little more money that year than they did.

I am aware who comes on boards and other chat sites and I knew what I was getting into but your words will not take from the good work these people do or people have seen for them selfs

I can only say to anyone who wants to pull them down to pay them a visit and I promise you's in no time at all they will earn your respect.

Hi Blackcat,

I'd just like to say that I have no affiliation with any rescue and am not looking to 'pull them down'. I have first hand experience of how they went about rehoming a dog to a family member and it caused me concern so I posted about it. Suzy appears to have experience of a similar incident and someone else stated that they got a dog without a homecheck. I don't think anyone is bashing ASH, rather stating experiences. I would not begrudge anyone donating money to ASH if they feel they are the rescue they would like to support.

I do think it is a big problem if this is how they go about rehoming and I really would be interested to hear what ASH have to say about the matter. Are you affiliated with them and can you find out what their official policy is? I have no doubt that they provide great care for the animals while they are at the shelter and my family member was impressed with them but maybe they have taken on too much and need to step back and re-evaluate because in my opinion sending an un-neutered/spayed dog out or sending out a dog to an unchecked home is ultimately letting the dog down. People just often aren't what they seem. Imagine if that dog that Suzy speaks of had gone to someone who decided to breed from her and those pups in turn where breed from. That leaves us with potentially a lot more dogs needing help. Luckily that situation turned out ok but maybe others haven't and the end results are in the pounds right now.

And I'm sure ASH aren't the only ones who do it but this thread happens to be about them.

Can you see at all why I and others have a few concerns and I hope you don't still think I am 'out to get' ASH because I'm genuinely not.

BlackCat2008

I'm not trying to give out to anyone, but I do believe her facts are wrong Ash have a strong policy on neutering, they are over crowded yes but what are they meant to do when animals are abandoned on there door step or for that matter their nieghbours, all shelters become over crowded sometimes and I have identified one problom area that is not helpping them which is that there site is down and I will be down with them tomorrow to take the new photo's and hopefully get some one to fix the site so it can be accessed again. If they left a box of kittens or pups out side there door to starve they'd be the worst in the world, these animals have no were else to go if a shelter can't take them in unlike pounds and spca who can ship them from one shelter to another the single rescue's like Ash have no were else to send them to give them self some breeding room, they get hundreds left out side there doors or nieghbours each year they'd be the worst in the world if they did nothing and they died. I too become over crowded and there is no room at the inn when it comes to shelters taking them I couldn't leave them out side to die or hope some one else will take them, if all I can do is feed them till I work something out to neuter etc. then it's better than nothing for them. I rearly get a break and it takes every penny I have to get them sorted for re-homing, I'm lucky that I have a good reputation and people always come back to me for new pets or send family and friends. Some shelters are to big to have that options.

Your story is very familer to me and I know I'v heard it before and not long ago. I deal with a lot of shelters-Rescue's etc. and they all put one another down not just Ash I'll help out any shelther any way I can, the only policy I don't care for is dogs been brought over to other countries.

I will speak to them tomorrow about it and get back to you on it.

Sigma Force

ASH rehomed a half vaccinated pup with no home check to some half wits I used to know. These people were very deceptive ie the new owners and could convince people the world was flat.

Neeless to say the idiotic owners despite my warnings took the dog for walks and left the second vax too long and the dog ended up with a mild form of parvo.

The dog recovered.

However the dog was found dead by the dog minder while they were on holidays, owner suspected something was up with the dog before they went but didn't do anything about it. The dog (because it was a pup) messed up the house so lived outside tied to a kennel by a long chain.
Now the dog was a happy dog and other people kept taking the dog out for walks etc.

But really these people should of been homechecked and a follow up done.

BlackCat2008

I will try to get them on to chat to you's all I'm just concerned that some facts are not right. Ash vac's them themselves can't seem to see them let one go before either vac's. I don't know about home checks I'll have to ask.

Sigma Force

Well what I say is true total fact plenty of people to vouch but tbh don't want to go down that road just hope they are more careful and homecheck all homes.

BlackCat2008

Hi, everyone just a quick up date, as you's know I was down in Ash on Saturday and I tuck lots of pictures to put up on a new web site. this will take at leased a week to get sorted but I hope to get it to you's soon.

I think like myself you's will fall in love with these animals just as I did I meet each and everyone I photoed so I could fill you's in on them, they were all great.

Helena was away for the day so I got to speak to Remi and see the work he does first hand, I never seen anyone work so hard and yet with pations and kindness and such respect to each animal he works endlessly providing care and love that he himself says is needed too bring these frighten and abandoned animals around. I was amazed at how gentle and caring the staff and volunteers were.

To answer a few questions yes every female animal of age bore the scares of being neutered or still growing back the hair and he told me how his routine works and how each animal is vetted, tested, vac'd and neutered. He is very strict on making sure they go only to homes were they will become part of the family and live indoors with the family, while I was there he turned down someone on the phone who wanted to keep a dog out side in a kennel at night and told them he would not allow them to have a dog that would be out side all day and night. So I hope this puts to rest any questions on this subject.

I meet Helena at a dog training seminar on Sunday and managed a quick chat, she was their to learn all she could about training dogs so she could put it in to practise and help to re-home animals that are trained and well behaved in the hope they find their for ever home as she said a well behaved dog becomes a well loved dog and not a problem dog that ends up being returned time and time again. She said it's better to hold of re-homing for a time to help reajust a dogs behaver and give them the care they need to become a custom to a new way of looking at the world than to keep turning out dogs just to empty cages. They as we know stand a better chance at a forever home if trained and well behaved then sent as they came in.

I will be uploading the animals picture's for re homing and bring you news on the new arrivals and those in the ICU recovering form the hard live and looking forward to a new life. I didn't feel at all stressed when leaving as I do from most shelters I left feeling and knowing that the animals at ash were in the best place possible to recover and become good pets in the future.

I will bring you's more news on the new web site as soon as it is up and running at the end of the week.

They send a big big thank you to every one who has donated and hope you understand that every little helps and is appricated to the last and they will be putting up some notes on the new site to say hello to everyone.

I too want to say thank you to everyone one in helping to support them when I asked for your help and I can reassure you's they are the hardest working group I now and the animals are in the best hands possible, so I'll speak to you's all soon so you's can have a look at the new site.