Rescue centre hits back at claims that it stole stray
A WELSH rescue centre has faced a backlash for sharing a picture of a wellgroomed stray dog.
Hope Rescue, in Llanharan, Rhondda Cynon Taf, which has been rehoming dogs since 2005, shared a picture of Susie, an auburn spaniel, on its Facebook page.
They said Susie came into their care after wandering the streets in Ogmore-by-Sea.
In a Facebook appeal, the rescue centre encouraged her owner to come forward, saying it would keep her at the shelter for seven days in order to allow for time to make the trip to collect her.
But, adding to this, the rescue centre said that Susie would be taken into their staff’s care if an owner failed to come forward.
The post was shared alongside a picture of the dog, who appeared to be well-groomed with a cheeky look on her face.
However, this prompted Facebook users to question whether Susie was a stray, with some even suggesting staff had stolen her.
Sara Rosser, head of welfare and adoption at Hope Rescue, has spoken about these claims, saying it has been “disappointing” to see such comments being made.
Recalling a comment, she said: “One message said ‘Hope Rescue (because they aren’t brave enough to call themselves dog stealers). I mean come on, this pup is clearly very well looked after, recently groomed yet a ‘stray.’”
Sara added: “It is disappointing for our staff to read such comments as they work extremely hard to care for stray dogs who are brought into us and we try our very best to reunite with genuine owners.
“However, we recognise that some members of the public may not be aware of the legislation surrounding stray dogs and that sometimes there is not an owner wanting to come forward for them.
“Sadly with the increase in dogs being abandoned you cannot assume that because a dog looks well looked after in a photo on social media that there is a loving owner looking for them.
“In fact we are seeing dogs of all breeds and ages come into us as ‘fake strays’.”
Sara said Susie was brought in with an ear infection in both ears and partly matted fur – and it was clear she had been bred multiple times.
She added: “As always we would encourage owners to ensure their dog is wearing a collar and tag and has an up to date microchip, both of which are required by law, so that if their dog does go missing and is found then they can be reunited straight away.”