Post by Baglady on Apr 5, 2012 0:31:50 GMT
Apr 4, 2012 8:39:08 GMT Jo said:
Well done, everybody! I think you're doing a fabulous job, working tirelessly to raise money for the kennels and helping rehome the dogs! I'm curious to find out what the plans are for the kennels when the money's been raised? (I couldn't find anywhere on the forum that mentioned it but might have missed it). It occurred to me it would be wonderful to have a bit of enclosed space where the dogs can be let off the lead for a little bit to run around and some call back training can be done. Maybe they already have this here and I haven't seen it?! I visited Harvey inside his outdoor kennel last week and it was lovely to be able to play ball with him off lead, even in that small space!
Another thing, does anyone know if the opening times of the home are different over the bank holiday weekend?
Thanks!
Jo
Great minds..... Jo, (as you'll see from the posts that have followed yours)
Well, plans for Friends' 'Secret' Garden are still in their infancy, and we have a *bit* of work to do before we 'go public'
It is amazing to see that sooooooooo many people have come up with the same idea though, and have had the same thoughts, independently
We've been a little bit *hush* about this as there is the question of money, permissions, etc to sort, but the posts here really do reinforce our thoughts that this is indeedy a very worthy plan, and we will keep everyone informed as things unfold ;D
I'm sure there will be 'opportunities' for Friends volunteers to help, by digging into a bit of rough ground, or by digging into your pockets
and we need to plan carefully how we are going to realise this dream.C'mon then peeps, google is your friend, have a peeksie at 'sensory gardens for dogs', and let us know what you'd like to see ;D
And, re your questions about the Kennel Fund monies, I'm sure a lot of other people have been wondering the same thing ;D
Friends have been in close dialogue with the managers at CDH, who are in close dialogue with the Council, about where, when and how the kennel rebuild/refurb will happen. As anyone who attended the first meeting, (hosted by the Council) will know, there has been a shared vision for improving the lot of Cardiff strays for some time. Shared by council officials, staff and managers at CDH, and by the volunteers who have been walking the dogs since well before Friends was constutitued.
There are a lot of considerations, not least of all the financing of better accommodation for our strays, and it's been a bit of a 'chicken and egg' situation, in that plans could not be developed without thought for where the money would come from.
And that's part of the reason Friends was 'born'. The Council already go well above and beyond their statutory duty in caring for the stray population of Cardiff. There is absolutely no statutory obligation that is not already met (and exceeded) by Cardiff Council. But everyone who meets our dogs, who is witness to their plight, being homeless, through no fault of their own, wants something better for them.
And so Friends is the 'vehicle' that will harness all the goodwill, all the passion, the love and the shared vision for our dogs, and help turn it into a reality.
Again, as things unfold, we will keep everyone here informed. Even though we do not yet know the shape or contour of the kennel rebuild/refurb, in my minds eye, it will be designed out of passion, and built out of bricks. And every £pound that gets added to our kennel fund is another brick, it is one tiny bit nearer to realising the shared dream of a better environment for our dogs. So even though the draughtmen and the architects haven't yet laid pencil to paper, the dream is there for us to gather around, and to work towards. I really hope that everyone here today, everyone who has walked a dog, who has 'liked' our FB page, who has dropped 50p into a collection pot, everyone who has supported our strays, will be at the 'opening ceremony' when we hand over the shiny keys to the new kennels, wherever and whenever that may be.
But, we do realize that this is a very long term plan and are anxious to help improve the appearance/facilities at the Home in a more immediate way.
Sooooo - after talks with the Home we are investigating the possibilities of erecting a Portacabin type visitor/education centre on site. This could have so many uses and we could apply for Grants to help fund it.
Thoughts on use so far:
Small Kitchen
Toilets,
Potential adopters to meet and get to know the dog, private discussions about resposible pet ownership etc..
Talks/lectures/educational purposes/etc. (with access to training DVD's, books,)
Information Centre
Last Sundays when the weather is bad
Microchipping sessions
Grooming facilities
So think of the portacabin as a large blank space - what would you like to see and what usage?
I think it's pretty exciting myself and achievable in a reasonable time frame.
It has also been mooted that an easy way to improve the initial appearance of the Home is to paint a large wall mural on the outside using a local artist and children - the Home are very keen on this idea ;D
Sooo - to sum up, the plans at the moment are, (I'm sure other projects will come up along the way):
1)Sensory Garden
2) Portacabin
3)Wall Mural
4)Kennel Refurb
