Help to keep pool open by taking your dog for a dip
RESCUE CENTRE OFFERS SWIMMING SESSIONS FOR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS
A DOG rescue centre near Newark could close its pool if not enough people use it.
Due to rising electricity bills and running costs, the Halfway Home Rescue Centre in Swinderby Road, Collingham, has warned the pool needs to be used regularly or else it may shut.
The animal shelter needs at least three or four appointments each week to justify keeping it open.
In addition to the pool there’s also a box of toys that can be put in the water for the dogs to play with, such as balls and floating bones, with life jackets dogs can wear to help them float whilst they are learning to swim.
Swimming is a great activity for dogs – it’s joint-friendly and stress-relieving, and it can also help improve a dog’s overall health. I decided to take my dog down to the centre and test the pool out to see if it really was as good as it seemed.
My rather playful rottweiler, Bear, absolutely loved his time in the pool, and, although he was a bit nervous at first, had the best time once he got used to being in the water.
There was also a gentle slope from one of the corners so he could get in and out as he pleased.
As he’s still only two, Bear loves playing with toys, and at one point had around a dozen balls floating around the pool for him to chase.
It also gave me peace of mind that there was a life vest for him to borrow as he had never been in a pool before, and it gave him the extra support he needed.
Even though the pool is not massive when you think about standard swimming pools for humans, he is a big dog weighing around 45kg and had more than enough room to swim and play in.
There are a range of half-hour sessions available from 9am to 3pm each weekday, with it costing just £10 for a slot.
A spokesperson for the rescue centre said: “If it’s the first time a dog has been in one of these pools, it’s best to let them gain their confidence more each time if they don’t want to swim the first time.”
Dogs can swim in the pool alone, people can go in the pool with their dog if they wish, or, for an additional £7 donation, a member of staff can also go in the pool and provide your dog with extra help and support if they need it.
Anyone is welcome to come and have a look at the pool before booking a slot as long as they call in advance.
They are also looking to extend the opening hours for the pool so that it can be open at weekends, but explained that they “will need advance paid bookings for this as we would have to juggle staffing”.
Whilst the pool can also be used for hydrotherapy, this is a service the centre can’t offer yet as they are still looking for a qualified professional to use the pool.
There is also a changing cubicle for people to use, and facilities for dogs to be washed after their swim.
A spokesperson for the charity added: “You are welcome to bring up to two dogs and share the session with a friend if you want but the length of the session still applies.
“We do however ask that if the dogs are medium or large they swim separately. We do have some holding cubicles where the dogs can be out while another swims but please help us by tidying up after yourself.”
Due to previous misuse of the pool, children are no longer allowed in the pool with the dogs.
Anyone under 18 who comes along with their dog must be supervised by an adult who is not swimming. For more information, call 07808003152.