May 2006
We would like to take this opportunity to
issue a statement regarding the current situation at PFK.
Some of you will have noticed that the number of dogs
rehomed has been lower this year than in previous years and
there are a number of reasons for this that we would like to
explain.
Firstly, we are in the middle of converting the old workshop
into six double kennels. Because of the pressures of numbers
of dogs coming in from PTS situations, the new kennels were
being pressed into service as soon as the frameworks were
completed. In order to complete the work we are now working
towards getting at least a couple of the kennels empty to
enable us to seal, paint and finish them before moving dogs
back in to work on some of the others. We are also planning
to construct outside, part roofed runs for these kennels
with access from inside, which needs holes knocking through
the wall to outside so again the kennels need to be empty
for this to happen.
Secondly, we now have our largest ever number of long stay,
permanent residents who we cannot, for one reason or
another, rehome. Every one of these dogs still need care,
food and regular veterinary attention which all costs money
and they are all taking up spaces that therefore cannot be
used for dogs for rehoming.
Thirdly we also have a large number of Greyhounds who never
rehome quickly here no matter how nice they are. Most of our
other dogs on the rehoming list are also wonderful dogs with
great personalities but who have some training issues that
make them a little more challenging to rehome. Again, they
still need food and veterinary treatment but can often stay
here for months if not years waiting for the right home to
come along.
Another problem we are facing is that we both have ongoing
health problems that will require surgery of some kind in
the future with recovery times of at least several weeks.
This means that the workload here has to be manageable by
one of us with the help of our team of volunteers and that
means fewer dogs and better facilities and we are actively
trying to reduce the number of dogs here from last years
peak of 80 (we are currently at 54) as well as complete the
improvements.
This all creates a situation where the financial outgoings
become much higher than the incomings. We do have a number
of generous people who make regular monthly donations,
either for a specific dog or towards the general running
costs. These are our lifeline at the moment but we really
need more help.
We always need donations of items such as tinned food and
treats, as well as dishwasher tablets and kitchen rolls.
Further information can be found on our
appeals page about the other kinds of things we need. We
very rarely ask for financial help, except in extreme
circumstances, but we need to now. To give you an example of
where your money would go: -
• £1 pays for two 390g trays of Naturediet food for the
toothless, elderly or convalescent dogs. (we currently use around 30
trays a day)
• £5 pays for a worm dose for a medium size dog
• £8 buys a 15kg sack of dry dog food (we currently use over
a sack a day)
• £8 also pays for a Frontline flea treatment for a medium
sized dog.
• £10 pays for a microchip.
• £15 pays for a vet visit
• £35 pays for a routine neuter for a medium sized dog.
• £60 pays for a neuter on a Greyhound
Every little helps. Regular standing orders (even small
ones) are particularly helpful as they enable us to budget
ahead.
Thanks for reading.
If
you would like to comment on, question or discuss anything
in this statement, you can do so on our forum which can be
found
here.
Dave & Rachel
