a thought for a dog

[emmanewt]

Hi Archa, I feel as though I have to comment on this post as even though I am not heavily involved with CDH I take an active interest in everything what goes on and keep myself updated on the forum.

CDH do EVERYTHING they can not to PTS and only if very necessary are dogs PTS. Most pounds have a 7 or 14 day policy on which a dog is PTS if not rehomed- you will note that some dogs have been up for rehoming for months and months in CDH.

I am sure that someone who knows more about this will comment on this thread but please don't let this very VERY isolated incident blur your views of CDH and FOCDH as I know any decisions that are made with regard to PTS are made with a very heavy and reluctant heart.

Emma x

[nuggie]

I must say that I have wondered about the decision as Snoop had problems and had been in CDH much longer than Max. Snoop was given the chance with success. Did Max have have greater problems?

[seonlasil]

Emma I agree and I went to CDH yesterday and they are full looking at the kennels. I know CDH keep their dogs for much longer than most country wide council pounds

[Jen]

Friends do not have anything to do with the decisions made on which dogs are put to sleep, if you have any questions on this you need to direct them to the Manager of Cardiff Dogs Home.

The staff work closely with the dogs and do not take the decision to put them to sleep lightly.

[cfh7]

The fault is not with CDH but with the irresponsible breeders, and the people who buy these dogs, especially large breeds without a thought about how to socialize and train them. CDH do so much to try to match dogs with suitable owners, but as the recent tragedy with a rehomed dog in England killing a child shows, (absolutely no connection with CDH) they have to be very careful. There are many examples on the forum of many, many dogs which the CDH staff (and friends) have done their utmost to find the best outcome for all sorts of dogs. Do you think it is easy for them, to care for these dogs, sometimes for many months, and then have to make these decisions (in very few cases). The sad fact is that there are too many dogs for too few responsible owners. Just type in "dogs" on Cardiff gumtree to see all the young adult dogs for sale for over-optimistic amounts of money because the owners didn't think about the long term picture with these dogs. I take my hat off to all the Cardiff dogs home staff and the dog wardens. I couldn't do your job, and I'm only glad for the dogs' sake that there are people who can.

[Becky]

Well said cfh7 x

[seonlasil]

Agree well said

[venessapassaro]

I have been devastated over the past few days when I have seen the posts in rainbow bridge. Those poor babies, it seems so wrong. I do however understand that it is a council pound and it does unfortunately happen, doesn't make it right. My heart goes out to the staff as I know how good they are there from having had Ava from them. It's devastating for all involved, they love those fur babies and do all they can. Please don't be run down by negative comments guys and gals, u do amazing work there. XxxX

[cpurchase93]

It is obvious that CDH does not enjoy putting their dogs down, no one is saying (or has ever said) that they do! It must be a truely heartbreaking decision, and one that I could never make. We do understand that CDH is a pound and they are only legally obliged to keep the dogs for 7 days. It is just a little disheartening when certain dogs, such as Elsa, get taken to behavioural classes and then go on to get rehomed (YAY!) but other dogs, such as Max, just get put to sleep? Elsa was the reason I started walking with CDH, I saw the amazing work on this forum that the staff put in to getting her a home and that inspired me to start dog walking. I just feel extremely dissapointed that no one was given a chance to do more for Max in his final days. You can't blame anyone for asking these questions, this is a forum where people are encouraged to express their opinions and feelings. I can assure you that any questions I may have regarding Max will be put to the manager when I feel ready to start walking again. RIP Max - I promised you I will do all I can to stop this happening to your fur brothers and sisters (although you weren't too fussed on them) <3 "Be the change you wish to see in the world"

[Becky]

Claudia, I understand you are heartbroken by this, we all are. We are all volunteers and there are only so many hours to any day, we all have families, children, dogs of our own. We do as much as we can. Since the Wakey Wakey walks started up at the end of September, the majority of the volunteers that were involved in helping Elsa are committed to that. One volunteer in particular dedicates at least 30 hours per week (unpaid!) to getting the dogs in and out for walkers. For you to say you are disappointed is a little hurtful.

We would love more walkers to get on board with doing extra stuff for the dogs. Maybe when you are ready to come back walking you can be one of them.

I would like to say that this is written as a volunteer and not as a committee member, what I have posted here is entirely my own views

[cpurchase93]

Hi Becky,

Many thanks for your reply. I am sorry that you found my comment hurtful, that was not my intention. CDH staff do some truely amazing work with the dogs! I rave about CDH to everyone and anyone who will listen - family, friends and colleagues.

I had become particularly close to Max in the 2/3 months I walked him so when I read on this forum that he had been put to sleep, having seen no last minute appeals etc, it just killed me. I've never lost someone close to me so apologies if you feel I am being over the top, this grief is all new to me.

Apologies too, if my opinions seemed harsh. I was just being as honest as I could be in the hope I would meet like minded people. People who would maybe want to meet up and have a good brain storm to see if there was anything more we could do for dogs like Max.

Thanks for clearing up the situation with the extra help Elsa had. She was a very lucky pooch and I am so glad she found her forever sofa.

I would very much like to do more with the dogs. That is kind of you. Also, I have friends and family who are very excited to sign up when the walkers register opens again.

Claudia.

[Jan]

This is a last minute appeal for Bruce, Tyson, Patsy, Preeya, Ted, Bella, Chas, Harley, Casey, Simon, Princess Mia, Lucky, Pablo, Dino, Larry, and Zeus.

Thanks for your offer of help Claudia, I know the vols do everything they can, day in day out, as do the staff, but all the above dogs need your help now, before the home stops rehoming over Christmas.

This is your chance to make a difference before any of these lovely dogs are euthanized.

[seonlasil]

Who is pts is out if the control of friends of Cardiff dogs home.

If everyone stopped volunteering in all sorts of ways for friends there would be a lot more dogs Pts. I don't mean to be harsh but it's a cold hard fact!

There are other ways to volunteer if you can't face walking the dogs.

Let's not forget the bigger picture, and all the good that FCDH do and have done!

It's desperately sad, I had tears in my eyes today, going around the full kennel.

[Becky]

In all honesty Claudia I did find your comments hurtful. It has been a particularly bad couple of days at the Home, we were there last night doing the updates and there were THREE empty kennels. The Home will stop rehoming dogs next week for the Xmas period and the sad fact is, dogs are highly likely to be lost due to space. Dogs in pounds can legally be euthanized on their 8th day, so no dog is ever safe but CDH do their utmost to ensure homes are found for all of their dogs. So this is your heads up, if you can find just one of our long term dogs a loving home, that will be a fantastic help. Share them on Facebook, post them on your Twitter, stand on Queen Street handing out leaflets, all stuff that our vols do day in day out

[daffysmum]

There are two meet and greets this weekend:7

tomorrow : Corner of Queen Street / St Johns Street 11 until 3

Sunday: Pets at Home Cardiff Bay 11 until 3

These are always great opportunities to promote the dogs and many dogs have been found homes from these events.

Please feel free to pitch up and help out, extra hands always welcome