Pups may need homes (probably)

[jellybrain]

I need some advice really. I have just been chatting with a local Big Issue seller whose collie/Lurcher is due to give birth in the next couple of weeks. The puppies will need homes - he asked whether I knew anyone who might want one which obviously is a risky strategy as there is no guarantee they will go to good homes. I asked whether he would be taking the puppies to a resuce to get them rehomed but he seemed to think he would be able to do it himself.

Any suggestions bar taking one myself? - my own rescue collie x is only 8 months old and we aren't able to take on another yet.

Not sure about the puppies but could you politely advise him to get the bitch n eutered.

Yes... tell him I'll give him £100 for the bitch and I will make sure that she is cared for, then spayed and that she and her pups are rehomed via decent rescue on rescue contracts, with homechecks and following vaccination and spay/neuter for the pups as well.

And no, I'm not joking. I can't afford any more than that but maybe he can be persuaded to give her up in return for it.

The dog deserves far better than the life she has, poor love.

Definately better to be rehomed by a rescue centre as they will offer back up and assistance even after the pups are homed.

Hmmm I did think about that but, I have recently had mine done and I supsect that the £150 it cost will not be an option for him. Are there places that do it on a charitable basis?

Needless to say I will be following their progress and will have another chat next week.

All the more reason to make him my offer, Jellybrain - if £150 is out of his reach (no surprise there) then £100 cash in his pocket might be a temptation.

Vallhala - not sure he would give up the bitch to be honest, he found her dumped as a pup and they clearly have a strong bond - she is a beautiful gentle animal. Would it be worth offering to help him find a decent rescue for the puppies so he can be sure they go to good homes. Where do I start when so many are struggling to cope with the animals they already have.

Other than not having been spayed I can't make a judgement on the sort of life she has - she appears well fed and socialised, she shows no signs of fear or agression and appears well cared for. There are shelters here that allow people to take in their dogs so she isn't living on the streets IYSWIM. If it wasn't for this guy she would not have survived.

Thank christ she isn't living on the streets - I misunderstood that part, thanks for explaining it. Nonetheless being pregnant isn't a good thing at all given the number of unwanted Lurchers out there already, especially out in the cold for a large part of the day.

The owner could have her spayed at the RSPCA or possibly with help from the Dogs Trust or PDSA. RSPCA spaying is at a massively reduced price. Also it's worth asking the local dog warden if he knows of any local schemes or can pull any strings in getting the bitch spayed. He may offer advice on rescue places but please be alert and don't pass on details of pounds masquerading as rescues.

For immediate and country-wide assistance and advice I suggest that you repost this enquiry on the forum of Lurcher Link Kaye, the owner is very direct but very knowledgable, so pm her if you need specific help.

As for individual rescues, it depends where you/the owner are. If you can tell me that I'll do my best to tell you of any I know in that area and what I know about them, if I know any at all.

HTH :)

I see your point Vallhala honestly I do but his personal situation doesn't mean he is the wrong owner for this dog - he could have just left her on the riverbank with her already dead litter mates. I agree she could have a better home - regular immunisation, high quality food, an insurance policy (though other than the fact that she isn't neutered I have no idea about the other care she receives) but, do all these things guaruntee he a better life? I think it unlikely he would give her up to be honest.

I will talk to him again about how he will care for her when the pups are born though and until they are ready to leave their mum.

I'm in Oxford Vallhala.

Will look at Lurcher Link tonight when I get home. I am at work at the moment so I need to get on now.I'll also speak to the dog warden.
Thanks for all the replies so far.

If his bitch could be spayed and returned to him that would be an excellent solution for her.

The poor pups though It might be worth telling him about the problem with pups / dogs being used as bait dogs. If he could be pursuaded to let rescue help him rehome that would be the ideal situation.

It might be worth getting in touch with Greyhound Gap to see if they can help - they're an excellent rescue.

Oh rollocks, not an area I know well, but not, luckily, so far out in the wilds that this is a major problem. There's hope yet!

Question is, where are the pups going to be born and where will mum stay with them? He can't take her onto the street whilst she's whelping or nursing puppies.

I think that's what you'll have to establish first and take it from there. Also please pm Kaye, the owner of Lurcherlink now - you and she may not be able to do anything right now but Kaye will have FAR less chance still of being able to help when the pups arrive or if there is a problem if she has no prior warning of the situation.

The owner needs to be put in no doubt that rescue will NOT just take in his bitch and care for her whilst her pups are being born and then return her to him. Rescue VERY rarely offers any form of temporary care for an owner and even if it does it's generally under special circumstances and/or for someone they know. If he wants rescue's help with the pups he will have to sign them over to rescue and if he wants help with the bitch in terms of care whilst delivering and whilst she is nursing her pups he will HAVE to sign her over too. There is NO WAY that rescue will take in the bitch and then hand her back, unspayed and ready to get pregnant again when she's raised the pups.

I'd ask you too to ask him what he will do if his bitch needs a caesarean section or medical care when she starts to deliver. (This is one of the reasons why I suggested offering him money to get the dog into immediate safety). Sorry, I'm not suggesting that he doesn't care for her but the potential for a disaster for the bitch and her pups appears to be huge here and he needs that spelling out. Bottom line from my POV is sod that he cares for the dog, this isn't about HIM, it's about what's best for HER and being a big person, putting HER welfare above his own desire not to lose her because from what little I understand he could lose her for good anyway.

I hope I'm wrong and that he's thought all this through and got the solutions already lined up, but these questions need asking just in case he hasn't.

Please tell him about the The Hope Project run by The Dogs Trust, they work with local practices to improve the health of the homeless dog population. They will pay for the dog to be vaccinated, wormed, flea treatment, microchipped and neutering completely free. Going forward they will cover veterinary treatment and he will only have to contribute £10 each time he attends the surgery. However, neutering within the first four months of joining the scheme is a requirement of remaining on the scheme long term.
All of this will be done at a local practice to him so the dog will not have to leave him. This project recognises that many homeless people have mental health problems and that the dog is often a vital part of maintaining the human's mental health.

Hope Project

Hope that helps. Its great you're trying to help this guy do the best for his dog.

agree that a lot of homeless people love and take care of their dog.

however, medical help needs to be taken into account. i know someone who has used the dogs trust scheme for neutering and it was very simple to do. he may have to explain the scheme to his nearest vet as not all of them are aware of it. once he does that any vet should help, they are guaranteed payment from the dogs trust

if he decides he wants to rehome the bitch then i will add £50 to valhalla's £100. i could also help with transport within 100 miles or so of Oxford

i really hope the pups are rehomed via rescue as the outcome for them being passed around/mistreated if not is very distressing. he obviously rescued his dog so maybe explain to him how other people - homeless or not - may mistreat pups

if i can help with money/transport then i will

I am going to print off all this info and pass it on to him next week. I usually work at home Mon - Wed but will try and go in to town on Wednesday (puppies aren't due for another couple of weeks).
I'll also talk to him regarding your suggestions. He did say that he had potentially found homes for 2 pups with someone who works in the shop he was selling his Big Issue outside - will try to convince him re Home Checks and stuff.
I wondered what he had in place with regard to whelping too.

jellybrain - i also wanted to say how kind he was initially to rescue the dog as a puppy from being left to die

i have a big issue seller in my town who i always chat to. he has a dog and the bond between them is amazing.

good idea to print off info. i will do the same with the dog trust info. i always tell people about it but good idea to take some written info. will do the same with the chap i chat to just in case he ever needs it

i am glad you are looking out for the dog

Hi he wasn't around last week. I suspect the collie may have had her puppies, or perhaps he has decided to keep her out of the cold. I will check again this week and let you know if I find out anything more or can persaude him to take the pups to rescue and/or get her neutered.

thanks to all of you who have given advice and suggestions.

ok, thanks for the update. best of luck