CountryGirl

I'm not at all angry. :) People asked me questions and I replied. If anything, I've started to see what a diverse collection of people use this forum, some of them seem to have a different agenda to me and that's okay. We don't all have to be playing the same game as long as our focus is in the right spot.

It would be great if this group can succeed where others have not. My biggest concern is that the attitude behind the pound's operation is anything but pro-rescue and pro-welfare. When even the RSPCA has "investigated" and found nothing to complain about in terms of welfare, there's a problem. I and others have been asking for true and genuine transparency in the pound's operations. I don't live in Cowra shire, so my voice is pretty muted based on that - yet Cowra is my closest town and where I spend most of my time and money. Since I moved here, I've seen atrocious "management" of particular cases and inadequate responses from people claiming to be "rescuers". I did confuse Kylie with someone else and for that I can only offer an apology. There are lots of pretenders in the rescue community (as with most sectors of the community I guess), and sometimes they blur into each other. I am not a pretender and the people who actually know me, know that. If comments on social media and forums stop good people from continuing to rescue, I don't see how that helps. I can only imagine how empty some people's lives must be if trying to damage or destroy others is something to do for fun. I'm not having a dig at anyone specific here. If that were the case I would do so privately - and then I'd probably be condemned for not doing so in public. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. I'm in rescue for the dogs. That's my agenda.

No matter what I say it will be misconstrued. I'm not in rescue for any reason other than the dogs. Much of what I do is behind the scenes and never publicised. Why? Because I am not the sort of person who does things based on ego. I never have been and I never will be. People can assume whatever they choose - I know that if the pack mentality here continues the way it has thus far, then more than one decent and long term rescuer (other than myself) will just stop all rescue. It's supposed to be about helping dogs, not bitching to or about each other. My questions about the vet practices are very appropriate. There are TWO vets in Cowra. They are both already incredibly busy. The last time I had a chat about it, none of the vets were willing to de-sex under six months of age on a routine basis. Perhaps that has changed in the time I've been living here (if so, that's great, but I can't see such a shift happening in a year). This isn't about me. It never has been and never will be. Online communities bring out both the best and the worst in people. All I try to do is rescue dogs in need and do it with integrity. I don't abuse others, I don't finger-point, I don't name-call. And for that I cop abuse from those I question as to their processes as I try to understand where they are coming from.

I'm trusted to make my own decisions for the groups with which I work. I have as much or as little responsibility as I choose - I've been rescuing for a decade or more. In that time I've also worked in shelters (paid and voluntary). If you like, I'm an independent rescuer with the support of a number of groups, some of which have been around a while and others which are newer. I choose which dogs I take on and from what sources. I'm pretty lucky in that respect. :) It can be costly in terms of both money and emotional energy. But I find it really rewarding and I know my limits as well. I've seen some in rescue take on too much, leaving them at risk of burn out. I've got four dogs of my own and never have more than one foster dog at a time. I also have my own place on several acres. :)

Huh? I'm at a loss to understand some people. I think it's time for me to leave you all to play whatever "slap on the back" games I've interrupted. I'm going to focus on what's important to me. I know what goes on in the local community and the attitudes behind it. I also know I can't change it, so I focus on what I can do, which is rescue from further afield, support people who are making a real difference, and look after my own dogs and fosters.

It is just as well then that the New Rescue Service will be being run correctly, with all vet work being carried out and the core values upheld. So which of the two vets will be doing all this vet work? By all means, feel free to ring North Cowra Veterinary Clinic, and give Loz and Mel your views as to what you think of the new president of GDRR. I'm sure they will give you what you so desperately need. I have a great deal of respect for Karen at North Cowra Vet. The support staff also do an admirable job most of the time. What's your point?

It is just as well then that the New Rescue Service will be being run correctly, with all vet work being carried out and the core values upheld. So which of the two vets will be doing all this vet work? So are you just on a vendetta against one individual?? Is that what your posts are about? Because its getting boring.... Pardon? Not at all. I'm simply asking which of the two vets that have small animal practices in Cowra are stepping up to do the vet work. I know both have a fairly hectic schedule. It's a fair question given the population of the town, and the lack of available vets. Anyone who lives in the area would know that.

I call 'bullshit' lol I have the original message from the post on facebook, and she categorically tells you that she rescued three dogs. Please, let this rest, you are only continuing to make a fool of yourself. I've no idea what you're talking about there. You might have me confused with someone else. In that case, it would seem you're not alone from some of the other comments.

What is your rescue called? Did I say I have my own rescue group? If you got that impression, I can only apologise. I'm a foster carer.

If I'm misinformed, then I got it direct from the source so how am I responsible for that? I'm repeating what was made public knowledge by the person involved.

I'm not making this personal. I'm simply discussing information that's public knowledge.

It is just as well then that the New Rescue Service will be being run correctly, with all vet work being carried out and the core values upheld. So which of the two vets will be doing all this vet work?

There is more than one ethical rescue group in this region. There are also a number of individuals claiming to be "rescue" which do nothing more than buy and sell dogs and pups. Oh, there are some that also breed litters and call selling their litters "rescue".

We'll see what happens - but as someone once said, "past behaviour is an indicator of future behaviour". As I've seen here countless times, "rescue" doesn't have the same definition as it does in the broader rescue community. But that's just what I've seen and maybe ethical rescue exists here outside of the groups with which I have experience.

My actions are never about me. My actions are about helping dogs in need and doing it properly. With integrity. For others to see genuine criticism as having a dig simply shows their inability to accept responsibility for their role in the situation. I'm not a newbie to either rescue or DOL. I don't make assumptions either. I work on what the people involved say and do. Sometimes they are their own worst enemy.

You need to be better informed before you start making statements on a public forum. I am very well-informed. I don't make such statements lightly. I know how easily a rescue group's reputation can be ruined by people's actions as well as assumptions. I've been in the rescue world for a long time. Just because I'm new to the Cowra region doesn't mean I don't know what has been going on here; what troubles me is that it continues to go on despite people TRYING desperately to improve things for the pound animals.

Sas - I don't mean to be picky but a foul-mouthed individual who took ONE pup from a litter at the pound and left the rest to die isn't a fine example of "rescue" in my humble opinion.

I can't see why the pound won't work with numerous rescue groups. I know of another country pound that will only work with one person and it means that dogs and no doubt all the cats get euthanased because one person can't generally do it all. It's because we are not "locals" but have moved from elsewhere. There's a huge divide in this area between "locals" and "blow-ins" and we happen to be "blow-ins". The Ranger is a law unto himself and the Council has its collective heads in the sand. The local population doesn't really see a problem with shooting strays and treating them like garbage. Similarly, many local people think it's fine to use disgusting language in public forums when representing a group and resent it when others point out that swearing doesn't appeal to everyone. I've been in rescue for many years and so has Cryptic. We don't work with our local pound and that's a shame. There's a clear need for more than one rescue group in the area and yet because some people can't see that the welfare of the animals MUST come first, it comes last. "Rescue" doesn't stop at getting a dog from the pound - that's where it starts. Sadly, genuine rescue in this area is shunned because anyone can claim to "rescue" something when they're actually dealing with animals that are given away from the pound and then sold on without vet work having been done. But to point that out, and to correct people who use the term "rescue" when they are not actually upholding rescue's core values, is to ensure the animals miss out because people are too proud to learn how to do things better.

Wow...three days from the time you posted your questions/issues to the time you posted you bought the dog from the pound. I hope it's working out. As a rescuer, I wouldn't adopt out to someone within that time frame...I tend to have a few meet and greet sessions with the adopter and the dog...do a few checks on the home...ensure the application is completed honestly...and then there's the two-week trial where I keep legal custody of the dog in the event things don't work out. I'm all about the dog's welfare, not the adopter's. But that's just me.

There are no facilities for newly-whelped bitches, litters of baby pups, etc at the Pound. The Ranger could have his pick of volunteers should he choose to work with bona fide rescue...but he chooses not to do so. It would seem he sees the straying animals as rubbish along with the majority of Councillors here and many people in the town itself. My concerns include the total absence of bedding for the impounded animals, the total absence of food bowls and decent food for the animals, the utter lack of transparency relating not just to the impoundees but to the operation of the Pound itself, the utter lack of communication between the Ranger, Council and members of the public when it comes to both routine and emergency situations involving impounded, lost and missing animals. There is NO desire to de-sex before the animals are given away from the Pound (the ones that aren't shot and dumped, that is), and there is NO desire to work with accredited rescue groups. I really don't know how we can change things when even the RSPCA concluded there are no welfare issues to rectify. By the way, there are NO animals at the Pound, and they were all removed very quickly after the story broke. Nobody is willing to announce what has happened to them.

There are already bona fide rescue groups in Cowra - it's that the Pound and Ranger will not work with us. It's a darned shame someone more appropriate wasn't chosen to replace the outgoing President.

I live just outside of Cowra Shire in Weddin Shire. I've been here for exactly ONE year. In that time, I've seen locals selling pups and dogs that they've obtained free from the Cowra pound - calling it "rescue" despite having NO vet work done. Calling it "rescue" because they believe taking the dog out of the pound is the end of the story, not the beginning. However, just because they're not clear on what constitutes bona fide rescue, doesn't mean they can't learn. It's just that they don't learn. The death of the Kelpie is not at all unusual. The "story" just doesn't add up. If the death was caused by a Dangerous Dog that had been impounded for 90 days, then whomever was responsible for its kennelling needs to be sacked. My belief is that the Kelpie died from eating out of a can of Chum, cutting itself in the process. There is no evidence on the so-called Dangerous Dog that it actually attacked anything on the day of the Kelpie's death. It appeared to be clean and dry with no blood in its coat, muzzle, paws etc. Surely if it was responsible for a fatal attack it would not be so "clean". The dogs which the Ranger wants killed are shot. They are not given a lethal injection by a vet. The pound is at the rubbish tip; the impounded animals are treated like rubbish too. They have NO bedding. These are concrete floored runs with no insulation, the mesh doors face south, so the dogs are cold in winter and hot in summer. The council does not seem to care and the RSPCA "investigations" of this pound are beyond a joke. I believe it is inhumane to keep dogs in such conditions. The dogs are not seen as "valuable" to the community. Many dogs which disappear in the area are "never found"...even dogs which are microchipped and details are up-to-date...so there doesn't seem to be a procedure for identifying strays and returning them to their rightful owners. People say they will donate bedding and that will fix the problems. It won't. Bedding would need to be cleaned. The Ranger won't be interested in cleaning bedding. Why are the dogs fed tinned food direct from the can? Because it's easier than having a food bowl in each kennel... If anyone is in any doubt about the misery and horror of this pound, please be assured it's worse than even the media can portray. Council and the Ranger and the RSPCA are merely covering up what happens on a routine basis. As a long-time experienced rescuer, I am beyond upset at the way this pound is allowed to operate...and I don't even try to rescue from Cowra as the Ranger simply refuses to have anything to do with bona fide rescue. It's a closed shop.

He's gorgeous! <3

There is an extra expense when an entire bitch gets sick - de-sexing a bitch means that she won't develop mammary cancer, Pyometra, uterine or ovarian cancer. Also, an "accidental" pregnancy costs money assuming the bitch is seen by a vet and the litter is looked after for both routine and emergency care. In males, leaving them entire puts them at risk of testicular cancer among other "complications". As a pet owner, I don't see any reason to take chances like that with my dogs' health...mine have always been de-sexed because I'm not a breeder and have no desire to become one. :)

I used to work in property management. In my opinion it would be a good idea to run it past the property manager before doing anything. If they refuse permission, ask on what grounds. It would be better than doing something without approval and then finding your lease isn't renewed...because you didn't think it important to ask first.