stellnme

True, LizT, we don't know all the circumstances but the above link with its statement " The process has been reviewed and an immediate decision has been made to cease the practice of euthanising by shooting" indicates that this is their procedure of choice. Too many pounds will not work with any rescue or want to be educated about the options that exist and will euthanise too soon. I know only too well that there are unrehomable animals and not enough homes (and the "right" homes for certain animals are few and far between) but too many are not given any chance. I just can't get my head around a ranger - and do we have a gun licence here? - standing at a public tip and shooting dogs and puppies on the authority of a council with a vet not far away, and yes, I live in the country and am familiar with putting suffering and feral animals down.

I have a problem with him shooting them when a vet is so close and no attempt has been made to rehabilitate, treat or work with rescue. It is needless and unacceptable. What happens from now on - maybe they will use a vet but this doesn't address the bigger picture. All in the too hard basket, I fear.

People happily pay high prices to buy a dog from a pet shop or backyard breeder, undesexed, medical problems etc. unknown, so what is the problem with paying for a dog who has been in foster care with all vet work done and a known quantity? I have said before that all the rescues I know would love to be out of business and have no animals to rescue, but while there are so many why can't they recoup a little of the money spent?

The council should take responsibility for this - they have employed the ranger and have (or should have) guidelines and a job description for him. I would say they are very aware of how their staff operate. I would like to know if they have other options in place for the pound, i.e. working with rescue, pets of the week and advertising in the local paper, etc. My local pound operates very much like this council, except they load up the dogs and take them to a vet for PTS, and if a local group didn't rescue the few they can, the situation would be a lot worse. Padraic, I don't think the dogs "know" what is happening as such, but they can certainly sense fear and this method is totally unacceptable to any thinking person, when there are other options.

Good news, Ons. The little one is lucky to be with you - hope he continues to improve.

I have some from Deals Direct, they are $22.95 at the moment. They're covered in a fur type material and are sturdy enough for my Jack Russell, who suffers from arthritis, to climb onto the couch or bed. They have lasted over a year so far.

Sleep well, little girl. You were loved.

I have had a lot of success with Paw Osteosupport Joint care powder for dogs. It comes in capsule form - 80 or 150 per container, and I open up one capsule and sprinkle over the evening meal. For a dog under 25kg ( I use it for my Jack Russell), it is one capsule per day, and over 25 kg, 2 capsules per day. It is tolerated well by my dog with arthritis and really seems to have made a difference to her level of mobility. Perhaps have a read and see if it would suit?

I remember Tiny Tim when he was at Seniors. I'm so glad you adopted him and he lived the remainder of his life loved and cared for. He was a lucky dog the day Linda found him and even luckier when he went to live at your place. He will live on in your heart, Gallomph. Sleep well, little man, you were loved.

I went to a smaller one in country NSW with my 11 year old girl. She is such a little star, the paper took her picture and everyone wanted to pat her but she made the shorter walk and we had a good morning. All the dogs were well controlled and all looked really good, with dog savvy owners. Saw a few outstanding Danes and a lovely old Sheltie, all in great condition.

Padraic, surely you don't think that rescue groups like to advertise? The ones I know would be only too happy to have no animals to rescue and rehome and therefore go out of "business". There is no money in rescue. Until you have walked in their shoes, please don't make comments like that.

Schnauzer x something??? Well come on, T, tell us!!

Great news and well overdue for the animals. Thank you to all who did the hard work to make it happen.

This concerns me as well. I have four dogs, all older and I really don't feel that they need annual vaccinations. The problem is, from time to time I need to board them as I don't have any other choice. The kennel owners are good people, no problem about leaving the dogs there but the owners insist on current vaccinations. How often should the titre test be done and are boarding kennels becoming more accepting of alternative tests?

And I think the situation is more serious than your Nan and the pokie machines. Some of us are concerned about what this could turn into.

Probably, Donatella but they need to make their father aware of the potential danger. If they have a talk to the police, they may just turn up and give these scammers a bit of a scare.

I agree. You have a much bigger problem than getting your dog to bark. Inform the police and maybe they can turn up at 6 am and have a talk to these people. Your Dad needs to see the potential danger he is putting you all in. Good luck, hope you can work it out.

I use the Snugglesafe ones that heat in the microwave for my small dogs. I put it in their beds just before bedtime and it is still warm in the morning. Putting it under the blanket/throw in their beds seems to help keep it warm.

I am so sorry. Such beautiful dogs.....Jessie will live forever in your heart with Rusty.

There are 15 dogs at North Melbourne on the LDH website for rehoming at the moment. This is from the biggest shelter with almost all the council contracts. Only one dog is over 2 years of age. Where are all the others? ChuckandSteve, people have been asking questions, offering to provide places in rescue to the dogs and wondering where all the donations go for a very long time. It just annoys me that someone collecting more money for them would provide such inaccurate information.

They accept more than 25,000 each year from their various council contracts. Try 11,872 classed as "unrehomable" last year and killed. A turnaround would be a fantastic thing but it hasn't happened.

Getting back to the original question : "Should we disclose a foster dog's past when being rehomed?" - the simple answer is yes. The good rescues do. End of story.

Anyone who donates to unknown people on a Facebook page, no matter how sad it may sound, needs their head read.

Such a kind thing to do. Hope your life gets better soon, Caz.

Sleep well, little Tala. I think that they don't so much leave a hole in our hearts, but they occupy a special place there forever. Lucky girl to be loved so much.