Pet centre having to turn away unwanted dogs

A PET rescue centre in Brailsford says it is having to close its doors to unwanted dogs after being stretched beyond capacity.

Just for Dogs, in North Lane, says it will have to turn away rescues until further notice, as many of its residents already share kennels between two or three dogs.

This has prompted an urgent appeal for people to come forward if they are searching to adopt a dog and offer it a home for life.

Centre manager Margaret Smith said: “The centre staff feel sad that at such a traditionally difficult time of the year, we are unable to offer help to families who are coping with an unwanted pet due to financial difficulties, redundancy, pre-christmas pressure, the pandemic or relationship break downs.

“We feel totally helpless and are looking at various ways in which we can highlight the rise of homeless pets this Christmas.”

Last weekend the charity hosted a Christmas coffee and mince pie morning, which encompassed an open day, with a homing officer on hand to check whether anyone applying to rescue a dog was suitable.

Mrs Smith says such events are unusual for the charity, but will help to speed up the adoption process.

She said: “Instead of the usual application protocol that can sometimes take up to a week to ten days from when an enquiry is first made and before an applicant is invited to view a dog or dogs. It could well speed up the adoption process.”

“The application criteria will be as strict as usual but the viewing, application form-filling and interviews could take place in one day unlike the usual emailing back and forth which normally takes place.

“A homing officer can place a dog on reserve until the remaining application process is undertaken.”

Mrs Smith added that anyone considering an animal adoption or purchase to do so with caution, and remember that “A Dog Is For Life,

Not Just For Christmas”.