I don’t know how many of you follow the ScPA Facebook page, but every Sunday evening they post to tell us which lucky dogs have been adopted during the week. This is usually a moment of joy, as you see how many dogs have found a home sometimes after weeks or months (and occasionally even years) at the refuge.

Yesterday evening was a sad read, however. Only two dogs had left the refuge in the past seven days. And the numbers for the month of March speak for themselves……36 dogs have arrived and there have only been 19 departures.

You don’t have to be a genius to work out that this means trouble.

Especially so for a refuge that does not carry out euthanasia apart from in extreme cases (invariably related to the wellbeing of animals who are suffering and cannot be cured).

What to do with all the dogs? How can they be looked after as well as they deserve, how can they be walked? And bear in mind the employees and volunteers adore the dogs; to them the welfare of the animals is paramount.

Please please, if you are thinking of adopting, do give the dogs of the ScPA a chance. Don’t fall for the old trope of thinking that all dogs at the refuge are damaged goods. It is true that some of them do have troubled backgrounds, but you are in no way obliged to take one of them, unless you feel capable of doing so.

And financially it makes good sense; the dogs are always identified, vaccinated and sterilised before adoption, which means huge savings on vets bills.

Many of the dogs have been brought in by owners who are no longer able to look after them, due to illness, perhaps, or a change in family circumstances. These dogs come with plenty of background information as to their behaviour.

There are dogs of all shapes and sizes; some old and calm, some young and energetic. There are dogs of recognisable breeds and some beautiful mixtures. There is always someone there who can answer your questions and help you pick the right one for you, and of course advice is always available after adoption.

And if it is the language that is putting you off, help is always available; you just have to ask.

Please share and let’s try to help some of the lovely dogs at the ScPA find the homes they deserve.

Feel free to contact us at website@dogrescuecarcassonne.co.uk