Quite often we post pictures of new arrivals on our Facebook page and we are inundated with questions; what is he/she like with other dogs, with cats, with children? So I thought I would explain a little bit about what happens when a dog arrives.
SPA dogs are usually brought in as strays, having been found by either the Police/ Gendarmerie or an individual. In the former case, we know nothing at all about the dog, in the latter case, sometimes the dog has spent some time with the people, maybe a couple of hours, or maybe even a night or two. So it is possible that we may be told “he was fine with my dog/ bitch/ cat/ child”. But usually we know nothing.
We try to see how dogs react with others when they arrive. This can give an indication as to whether or not the new dog can share his kennel, although it is not always 100% certain, as some dogs arrive stressed and their true personalities come out once they have settled in. All new arrivals are monitored carefully, whether they are alone in a kennel or not. Dogs that arrive particularly thin are generally left alone so they do not have to worry about getting fed (although again, the staff are very good at surveilling the dogs at mealtimes).
So we might be able to tell you straight away that a dog is okay with other males or females or both. Testing them with cats is far harder, as we like new arrivals to spend the least time possible outside their kennel. This minimises the risk of them catching any doggy diseases. There are no illnesses that pass between dogs and cats (or at least none that we have at the refuge), but we often have small dogs or puppies living in the cat house, so taking a dog in to see how he reacts with cats has to be carefully controlled.
As for children, we have a couple of employees and volunteers with children and we naughtily use them as guinea pigs! Seriously they are all dog savvy, and we watch carefully for any sign of aggression.
So this is why we are not always able to answer your questions straight away and ask for patience. One three weeks are up and the dog has his two vaccines, things are a lot simpler!
We always have a list of things to do; dogs to check in the cat house, dogs to test with children etc, and it all gets done, I promise!
In refuge news today we had one arrival, a boxer who is chipped, so with any luck should find his owners. Another dog who arrived not identified but who stole my heart straight away was reclaimed. And now he too is microchipped, of course. I am talking about Riddick, a beagle cross who arrived 11 days ago. Eleven days….Hmmm. Dangerous indeed. Ten days is the official time any dog must be in the Pound, after this time he can be adopted. Riddick’s owner was lucky to get him back. Such a lovely gentle boy could easily have been chosen.
So not a bad day, with another reservation as well!
Zion – New arrival but identified. Fingers crossed!
Riddick- RECLAIMED