Rescued Dogs Caged For Years

[Tootsie Roll]

I have heard of a dog rescued from a pound being kept for over 4 years in a cage at their facility which is only staffed for a few hours a day. This sounds dreadful and death would be a welcome release if I was that poor dog.

Surely normal rescues dont operate the same way.

Edited June 26, 2016 by Tootsie Roll

[Maddy]

Absolutely not. If the rescue hasn't managed to find a home after four years, either the dog is not suitable for ANY home that had applied (which seems unlikely) or they aren't actually trying to find the dog a home. Whichever it is, it's not appropriate management.

[WreckitWhippet]

The warehousing of dogs in not uncommon. Many rescues are kept in kennels and their needs are not met.

There was the case of the bouncing Whippets a few years ago, that were warehoused despite offers to foster them and provide them with some necessary life skills, manners and asses them in a home environment.

[_PL_]

"Normal" rescue depends on the definition. If you are of the mindset that No Kill means anything is better than being dead, then a dog stored indefinitely is a normal fact of life. And if a rescue were to put down this dog the hail of bullets from the sidelines would shock you!

Edited because I'm repeating myself! Post #10

Edited July 1, 2016 by Powerlegs

[kora]

I noticed on Facebook, from a volunteer the sad plight about five rescue dogs being kennelled for years. I assume it is these dogs you are talking about. It is no life for a dog. It just breaks my heart and i am sure it breaks the dog spirit. I believe the rescue group should advocate for these poor dogs and swallow their pride and ask for assistance from a reputable rescue group for help in rehoming these poor, sad and lonely dogs. Very sad indeed.

[Tootsie Roll]

I saw the latest post too and saw there were a few in the same boat,caged for years. I have been told that help has been offered and refused,stubbornly.

I know some sections of the "rescue" world consider this a suitable life,as any "life" is better than none.

If you cant rehome the dogs you have already rescued and dont have suitable permanent housing or enough foster carers,I dont know why this particular group are still rescuing.

Every dog they take,is one another rescue cant take,and they would most likely be offering better care than this poor excuse for a rescue.

[kora]

This so called rescue group needs to stop putting their name on dogs ASAP, so that other reputable rescue groups may save these dogs from a life of being kennelled for many years. This practice is unacceptable and verging on cruelty.

Sending out a SOS to these unfortunate "rescue" dogs who languish in kennels for many years.

[Tootsie Roll]

What options are there to help these poor dogs that are already in this livng hell and stop the

rescue geting more.

I dont know how the system works. Are there licences they have to hold or rules they have to follow or standards they have to meet?

[kora]

I would be interested to know the answers to your questions Tootsie roll.

I noticed on Facebook today that this so called rescue group has had a 9 year old Neo Mastiff imprisoned (kennelled) for 8 years.

Absolutely heartbreaking.

[_PL_]

Here's some general answers to the best of my knowledge. I'm only talking NSW, my knowledge of other states is sketchy.

This is in no way directed at anyone in particular. Merely an FYI because nobody has answered. I think you'll find that even things like grooming and training are not regulated and enforcement can be arbitrary.

Note; Rescues own their animals just like you do. And may keep, sell, give away or euthanise as any normal owner can. Rescuers may also buy animals. Or accept surrendered pets (chipped and registered and/or Stat Dec of relinquishing ownership).

All animal owners refer to; Companion Animal Act and POCTAA

Additionally there is the 16D which is the agreement under which pets are released from pounds to rescue. Council pounds may add extra agreements. Rescue dogs & cats must be lifetime registered after 12 months in care. 16D is subject to yearly reporting and 5 yearly renewal.

Animals in Commercial boarding kennels are under the mandatory Code

Animal related activities are often initially actioned by council rangers who will call in authorities; rspca, awl or police if applicable per the above Acts and at their discretion.

Members of the public may raise complaints to council or above authorities if they conflict with the Acts.

For rangers; local council bylaws and the above Acts may cover aspects of interest such as environmental pollution complaints (barking etc), nuisance orders and dangerous dogs, kennels, shelters, backyard breeders (registration and microchipping), registered breeders (registration and microchipping), zoning, livestock in urban areas etc

Local council bylaws can be contested if they conflict with state or federal laws.

Cats can be declared nuisance only in certain circumstances but are otherwise allowed to roam except under curfew.

Greyhounds must be muzzled in public unless they have passed the Greenhound program.

All dogs and cats must be microchipped and lifetime registered. Vaccination and/or desexing is not mandatory in NSW.

NSW has no limit on number of pets an individual may own. As long as standards of care, state, federal and local council bylaws bring no formal action against the owner.

RSPCA knowledge base answers general FAQ's. For hoarding studies refer to U.S. Tufts University

If you see someone try to re-home an animal they found (chipped or not), it is illegal and the animal must be presented to the pound or ranger.

I'd be very careful 'naming and shaming' (common on FB) as this entitles individuals, businesses and charities to litigation if they have a case such as proven loss of income and can afford to stop you.

edited to fix formatting!

Edited June 29, 2016 by Powerlegs

[Tootsie Roll]

Thankyou for that very concise and informative reply and your advice.

What difference if any if a rescue can receive donations or are able to issue receipts for tax purposes.

Do the authotities care about how good a rescue is?

I guess from what you say,the dogs are theirs to treat how they want,and it seems that the animal cruelty laws are so slack or open to interpretation as to what may ve construed as cruel or not.

[_PL_]

No problem. And no, authorities don't officially define 'good rescue' ... I guess apart from giving rspca and awl powers of enforcement.(?)

For fundraising purposes all you need is a licence issued by NSW Fair Trading.

You can go one better and add tax deductibility which is a more complex process. These are all dealt with through ACNC, ATO and Fair Trading. All independent of what exactly you are raising money for as long as you fit into a non-profit, charitable organisation framework and functions as dictated by law. And do your yearly audit of course.

To call yourself non-profit and ask for any items or money donated to you without your basic Fair Trading permit is illegal in NSW. Something you should take note of when donating anywhere, it's become a common thing with the advent of social media. Weirdly, a rescue that breeds from pound dogs is breaking no law. Go figure.

[Tootsie Roll]

I guess there is nothing that can be done by the looks of it These dogs will continue be left to suffer.

I suppose one should then concentrate on those one can help and not torture themselves with those that have fallen through the cracks.

The threat of litigation is a tool to hold over heads of whis

tleblowers in all walks of life.

A very sad situation.

[tdierikx]

*dons flame suit*

Keeping dogs in kennels is not necessarily inhumane or completely detrimental to their health or wellbeing. If they are taken out regularly, socialised, and are supplied with sufficient bedding for the weather conditions... many dogs actually do just fine. I'd rather see a dog kenneled where it gets those basic needs met by the staff (and/or volunteers), than in an overcrowded foster situation where a big heart doesn't necessarily equate to having any common sense... and yes, there are quite a few rescues whose foster carers fall under that category...

It's not as simple as saying kennels are "bad" and foster carers are "good"... it actually comes down to whether the individual animal needs are met sufficiently to deem it rehomable to the general public.

*removes flame suit*

All that said, kenneling any animal for literally years would probably raise some alarm bells for me as to the adoptability of the animal in question.

T.

[juice]

It just came up on my FB feed too, its near me and its bloody freezing here ,this morning everywhere was white outside again.

3 years in a kennel is not on, how the hell can you assess a dog for a home if its not in one for that long!

[melzawelza]

If we're talking about the same place, there was photographs posted last night of a Neapolitan Mastiff that has been kennelled for EIGHT YEARS. She is nine years old.

This is *completely* unacceptable and an absolute disgrace. A 1yo purebred dog (of a fairly uncommon breed!) should have been able to be adopted no problems at all in a matter of months. If the dog has significant issues, then behaviour assessment and rehab should have been sought, and if the dog is not adoptable despite that it should have been euthanised.

It's horrifying and it's not the only 'shelter' in Sydney that kennels dogs for years on end without much of an effort to advertise and rehome (or, never rehoming them despite interest because no one meets their ridiculous standards).

Edited June 29, 2016 by melzawelza

[Rascalmyshadow]

That is not rescue it's moving dogs from one bad situation to another.

I knew someone who was fostering, the dogs were kept in a kennel situation sometimes for no longer than a fortnight before they were rehomed, not sure how you can assess anything in that environment, it's the reason dogs adopted directly from shelters often show problematic behaviours a few months down the track, it takes them time to settle and behave in their normal way.

Every dog we've ever fostered has had some sort of vice (except the one greyhound) including my own foster failure, some of their issues would have been completely missed in a kennel environment, not to mention how cruel it is for long periods.

Edited June 29, 2016 by Rascalmyshadow

[Steve]

Has anyone asked them - why?

I dont know which one this is but I have had dealings with a "rescue" who has this situation and the sad thing is that they are seen by some as heros

After all they are ticking the boxes - even if it takes the whole rest of the dogs life and the dog is completely unsuitable for living with a family - including inside with theirs - they "save it" - no kill tags bring in donations

And if its because no one in all this time has proven to be a worthy home they are seen to still be doing whats best for the dog.

No one cares if they are chained up or locked up their whole lives as long as they are saved

Its their dog once they save it after all.

[Scottsmum]

Yikes - just popped over to the facebook page.

What a mess.

This caught my attention:

Save Our Strays (said) Not sure where you are but the boarding facility is in western Sydney. They are very particular about what blankets etc are given to the dogs as it seems giving them blankets results in more staff hours and this is not something they support. We do have volunteers go out to the facility each week or so. They may be able to take some out with them (they don't accept any with filling - eg doonas). Please send a pm with your details and I can let you know more. Cheers

I mean I get it - I've done kennels. I'm currently cleaning at a cattery - certain beds are nightmares - but -

Edit: Not just saying no blankets is bad - obviously dont agree with a lot their doing.

Edited June 30, 2016 by Scottsmum

[Tootsie Roll]

What about eight years?

Saw another one that had been in a cage for that long.Another for 4 years. No one could convince me that is an ideal way of life for a dog.

I see prolonged housing in cages a stop gap measure for care and not an ideal home for a dog.

I dont think the dogs in this situation have the regular walks,companionship or behavioural assessment.

The place is only manned 3 or so hours a day. It would be very cold.