Glamour dog photos pay off for pound
More dogs rehomed thanks to shots
The team at the Taupō Pound is barking up the right tree when it comes to rehoming dogs. In the year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, there were 133 dogs adopted. The combined total of the three years before that was 136.
Taupō District Council compliance and regulatory manager Ross McDonald says the fact so many dogs have been adopted says a lot about the effort the compliance team puts in to finding each dog its “forever home”.
One example of this, which those who follow Taupō District Adopt a Dog on Facebook are aware of, is the incredible photos of each dog produced by compliance team leader Cam.
“What seems a relatively small thing actually has a huge impact and grabs people’s attention,” Ross says.
“The photos bring the dogs to life and show their individual personalities. What I had not really considered was how hard it is to get a dog to be calm and still while it is photographed and some dogs can become very unsettled when exposed to the process. Especially if the dog has not had positive experiences from people prior to coming to us.”
Pound keeper Taylor says the pound is “extremely lucky” to have a professional photographer on the team.
“The photos we have, they are pretty amazing and those in themselves help boost our adoptions. They give you a brief idea of what a dog is like. You get certain dogs that just cause a storm, they blow up the internet, there’s just so much interest. In fact, every dog we post gets interest which is the main thing.”
While the photos produced are glamorous, often the work that goes into setting them up is not.
“It’s a tricky process because not only does the photographer have to get his lighting right, his settings right, but the dog has to be calm enough for that split second to allow us to get the photo.”
On top of the photos, Taylor says the team as a whole has worked hard to find homes for the dogs that come in.
“Each individual compliance officer has a valuable role here, we
all assist each other and that’s what makes it such a great team. It really helps me especially because I’m dealing with the dogs the most and having a good team behind me really helps.”
To the community, Taylor says reach out to your local pound.
“Pounds are where you find the most valuable dogs, the dogs with the most character, and you’re giving them a second chance at life. We get messages on Facebook all the time from people who have adopted puppies about how they’re doing, which is awesome.”
At the same time as adoption numbers have risen, the number of dogs euthanised has dropped from 276 in 2018/19 and 224 in 2019/20, to 96 in 2020/21 and 97 in 2021/22.
Ross says the only time euthanasia is considered is when a dog has displayed behaviours that may have a high potential to endanger the community and other animals and wildlife, or on the advice of a vet or inspector when a dog’s health and condition is beyond treatment.
You can view dogs up for adoption at Taupō Pound during the opening hours of Monday to Friday from noon to 2pm. If you can’t make it during those opening hours, phone the Taupō District Council 07 376 0899 and make an appointment. The pound is located off Owen Delaney Drive in Taupō, beside the SPCA.
Before you adopt a friend your property needs to be checked by an animal management officer to make sure it is suitable for keeping a dog, you will have to pay an adoption fee of $110 plus the cost of de-sexing, and complete an adoption form.
For more information have a look at the Taupō Pound Facebook page @Taupō DistrictAdoptADog.