I know Kerrie wont mind me putting this up but there has been some big developments in her case over the weekend. I received and email at 11.52 on Saturday which was 8 minutes before the pound closes for the weekend saying we were no longer needed and they had sold Bella this morning and could I advise the transport person.
To cut an extremely long story short, someone walked in with money, Different staff were on to the ones we were talking to, they took the money even though she now has to stay impounded while she get desexed and will be going back into a suburban where she will require obedience lessons. Shaugnah was going to be there on Monday so she would have been out and on an acreage with 3 other dogs the next day. Shaugnah and I were both told by the pound that there was no rush to get up there to pick her up and she had been signed over to paws rescue and they were happy for us to take her on Monday and was removed from the pet rescue site on Thursday.
It does not make a lot of sense in my eyes why they would do that to the dog and to say my children are a little more than upset is an understatement. My 4 year old spent the weekend in tears as he swore that his dog Molly that died 4 weeks ago had sent Bella from Heaven to look after him until his forever dog made its way to him. So that will unfortunately be the first and last time we offer a foster situation as I just can not do that to my boys (or me) again.
I am very pleased that she found her forever home and a big thank you to Kerrie who fielded a huge amount of calls on Sat from everyone. As she said there is now a huge net around Bella to catch her is she falls again which is what it really is all about. My hat off to her and everyone else involved in rescue that deal with this sort of stuff all the time. For us, we will go down the puppy route next time thats for sure. I am sure when she gets time Kerrie will let you know of the policies that are in place in pounds that affect the placement of rescue dogs.
Natalie
Full Version: Bella Update
Natalie
Sorry to hear about the upset to your family and hopefully your new puppy will be available soon to mend the broken hearts!!!
Sorry to hear about the upset to your family and hopefully your new puppy will be available soon to mend the broken hearts!!!
Your poor little one to be so upset. It is so hard for them to understand the vagaries of life. It is good that Bella has found a home and I hope that she is looked after and loved in that home. Obviously a very frustrating and upset weekend for you though.
Natalie
I must say that I was a bit perplexed by the whole saga. At least the screw up didn't come from our end and it sounds like a lack of communication at the pound. I guess it's good the dog got homed, but I had assumed you had told your kids she was coming, and I knew you had lost a dog recently, so I did wonder about the kid reaction, and sure enough. Yea, the dog probably would have been better with you. Apparently she was surrendered because she was in an unsuitable little yard-but has been rehomed in yet another small suburban yard now. This seems to be definately a one off screw up.I dunno. The new owners better not be surrendering her again if her being a normal Koolie gets all too hard-poor little thing.Sorry about your kids, really.
I must say that I was a bit perplexed by the whole saga. At least the screw up didn't come from our end and it sounds like a lack of communication at the pound. I guess it's good the dog got homed, but I had assumed you had told your kids she was coming, and I knew you had lost a dog recently, so I did wonder about the kid reaction, and sure enough. Yea, the dog probably would have been better with you. Apparently she was surrendered because she was in an unsuitable little yard-but has been rehomed in yet another small suburban yard now. This seems to be definately a one off screw up.I dunno. The new owners better not be surrendering her again if her being a normal Koolie gets all too hard-poor little thing.Sorry about your kids, really.
He will be okay. We went into this with our eyes wide open and sat them both down and explained the whole situation. We told them that Bella didnt have a mummy, daddy and little boys of her own and that we were going to let her stay at our house for a holiday just like Gemma (Molly dogs mum came to stay with us to keep our old girl company after Molly's death). So he understood the concept and we were not concerned that they would have a problem letting go. On one hand if I had of know it would have ended like this then I would not have told them, but on the other we are responsible people and would not have taken her if the boys did not think they could have given her up and it was to be a family choice.
He was a lot better after ice cream and lollies. They seem to make the world go around and we told them both as sad as it is for them, that Bella now has a mummy, daddy, little boy and little girl all of her own, Just like our rescue dog Ben has us.
No mention of any puppy to them and I wont tell them until we pick one out and its ready to come home in about (hopefully) 4 months time. Glad you were not half way up there when it all blew up!
Natalie
He was a lot better after ice cream and lollies. They seem to make the world go around and we told them both as sad as it is for them, that Bella now has a mummy, daddy, little boy and little girl all of her own, Just like our rescue dog Ben has us.
No mention of any puppy to them and I wont tell them until we pick one out and its ready to come home in about (hopefully) 4 months time. Glad you were not half way up there when it all blew up!
Natalie
Awww...that's good. Yea-glad I wasn't up at Wyong banging my fist on the counter! I actually rand Tracy at the pound for some further clarity-not from the club perspective but just as a member of the rescue operation ha ha, because it did my head in a bit. Anyway-I was concerned the dog had gone to a shit little place as opposed to yours, which would have been ideal. Anyway, she told me Bella had gone to people who had had Koolies before and understood the breed. That is SO important-these are not just any old pretty dog. Anyway-I'm sure kerrie has the right pup for you. Probably some glamouous looking thing which she has bred crocodile and Kangaroo into who will be happy on your acres (u lucky thing-says the inner sydney suburbanite!)
QUOTE(shaunagh @ Jun 22 2009, 03:20 PM) 
Anyway, she told me Bella had gone to people who had had Koolies before and understood the breed. That is SO important-these are not just any old pretty dog.
Thats wonderful and makes me feel a zillion times better. I didnt know that so then she should not bounce back into a pound. Kerrie has made them pass on her number so they have her to contact if they need help.
So all in all, its all worked out well ( tears aside) for everyone including Bella.
Natalie
Just to conclude the whole confused saga.
Craig manager of the Wyong pound apologised for any misunderstanding.
We should have been informed in the beginning that the pound, while happy to work with rescues and have a great deal of respect for rescue service and what they do, do have a policy which covers pound dogs.
Simply put it reads if a rescue service becomes involved then the dog in question is reserved for them, so if other rescue services inquire they are told their service are not required as the first rescues have priority.
All good, but if a person arrives at the pound and is willing to purchase the dog, then they are given priority and the rescues are informed that the dog has been rehomed.
The reason they have this policy is because normally rescue services obtain the release of a dog at risk and transfer the dog to a foster person who holds the dog until the service can find a good forever home.
So if the pound can jump those steps and rehome the dog directly from the pound they save everyone a lot of effort, time and money.
Except they weren't to know that Koolie rescue does it differently and nine out of ten times we already have a home waiting for the dog we organise to rescue as with Bella.
So we are all educated to each other now and yes the pound had a lot of praise for those involved.
Craig also pointed out that they were not responsible for any emails or posts which appeared on DOL regarding Bella being at risk at any time.
She was always safe and in a no kill area.
If we had known that, we would not have gotten involved, as Koolie rescue only goes into action when a Koolie is at risk of harm or death.
So in summing up Koolie Rescues policy for Koolies at risk is to always to contact the pound or shelter directly and request a clear photo and all medical information and any history which may be available.
And we confirm the Koolies remaining time.
If the Koolie is truly at risk then we move to secure a release and mobilize transport and fostering.
If a pound contacts us when a Koolie first arrives then we post the photo so assist in homeing it directly from the pound.
We insure that everyone involved understands that when dealing directly with a pound charges will be incurred.
A Koolie is only rehomed for free when it is surrendered directly to Koolie rescue or we effect a release of an impounded Koolie and bring it into our care here in Vic.
In the past we have worked with other rescues, at the urging of Koolie involved people trying to assist, only to be stuck with bills in the hundreds, another learning curve.
So anyone who wishes to become involved while your efforts are always welcomed and very much appreciated, it is best to understand that if you effect a release of a Koolie into your care your will be responsible for the charges not Koolie rescue, we just don't have that kind of money.
Koolie rescue does not turn it's back on Koolies in need, but we will not sell rescued Koolies to cover our cost.
If every breeder of any breed were to donate the purchase price of one pup from each litter they produced to the rescue for their breed what a difference that would make.
It may not cover all bills but it certainly would make a big difference, just do the math.
I know many breeders would hate the idea, but as a breeder myself, I feel an obligation to the breed, for those I bring into the world by choice, it's not enough to micro-chip and remain the second contact for life, or desex adults we wish to rehome, or keep our prices low, or take back any Koolie during any time of its life, or offer trial periods for Koolie we breed and sell.
It's a start, a step in the right direction.
I rescue because I feel a responability to those Koolies, foolishly sold through pet shops, when most pet shop wouldn't know a Koolie if it bit them and have no knowledge to pass onto the buyer about the dogs needs or requirements; or are bred by breeders who are just after the sale and don't care who they sell to so long as they get the sale.
or Koolies bought on impulse only to be dump when they are no longer pups or cute.
It's these Koolies who fall through the cracks that still need to be protected.
Many breed clubs like the Koolie club of Australia do have their own rescue group and support all efforts to assist their chosen breed when at risk, but as always I'm looking at what more can we be doing.
As we grow so does our strength to make a difference in the dog world and the world of the Koolie, so maybe like Shanaugh, Natelie, Sheree, Ailsa, Rachelle to name a few, a reader might see there is something they can offer, time, training, care, transport, watching, it all makes it easier and more efficient as this group with this most recent rescue have demonstrated.
Thank you to all our current team and those who choose to help in future, Koolies love you even more.
Craig manager of the Wyong pound apologised for any misunderstanding.
We should have been informed in the beginning that the pound, while happy to work with rescues and have a great deal of respect for rescue service and what they do, do have a policy which covers pound dogs.
Simply put it reads if a rescue service becomes involved then the dog in question is reserved for them, so if other rescue services inquire they are told their service are not required as the first rescues have priority.
All good, but if a person arrives at the pound and is willing to purchase the dog, then they are given priority and the rescues are informed that the dog has been rehomed.
The reason they have this policy is because normally rescue services obtain the release of a dog at risk and transfer the dog to a foster person who holds the dog until the service can find a good forever home.
So if the pound can jump those steps and rehome the dog directly from the pound they save everyone a lot of effort, time and money.
Except they weren't to know that Koolie rescue does it differently and nine out of ten times we already have a home waiting for the dog we organise to rescue as with Bella.
So we are all educated to each other now and yes the pound had a lot of praise for those involved.
Craig also pointed out that they were not responsible for any emails or posts which appeared on DOL regarding Bella being at risk at any time.
She was always safe and in a no kill area.
If we had known that, we would not have gotten involved, as Koolie rescue only goes into action when a Koolie is at risk of harm or death.
So in summing up Koolie Rescues policy for Koolies at risk is to always to contact the pound or shelter directly and request a clear photo and all medical information and any history which may be available.
And we confirm the Koolies remaining time.
If the Koolie is truly at risk then we move to secure a release and mobilize transport and fostering.
If a pound contacts us when a Koolie first arrives then we post the photo so assist in homeing it directly from the pound.
We insure that everyone involved understands that when dealing directly with a pound charges will be incurred.
A Koolie is only rehomed for free when it is surrendered directly to Koolie rescue or we effect a release of an impounded Koolie and bring it into our care here in Vic.
In the past we have worked with other rescues, at the urging of Koolie involved people trying to assist, only to be stuck with bills in the hundreds, another learning curve.
So anyone who wishes to become involved while your efforts are always welcomed and very much appreciated, it is best to understand that if you effect a release of a Koolie into your care your will be responsible for the charges not Koolie rescue, we just don't have that kind of money.
Koolie rescue does not turn it's back on Koolies in need, but we will not sell rescued Koolies to cover our cost.
If every breeder of any breed were to donate the purchase price of one pup from each litter they produced to the rescue for their breed what a difference that would make.
It may not cover all bills but it certainly would make a big difference, just do the math.
I know many breeders would hate the idea, but as a breeder myself, I feel an obligation to the breed, for those I bring into the world by choice, it's not enough to micro-chip and remain the second contact for life, or desex adults we wish to rehome, or keep our prices low, or take back any Koolie during any time of its life, or offer trial periods for Koolie we breed and sell.
It's a start, a step in the right direction.
I rescue because I feel a responability to those Koolies, foolishly sold through pet shops, when most pet shop wouldn't know a Koolie if it bit them and have no knowledge to pass onto the buyer about the dogs needs or requirements; or are bred by breeders who are just after the sale and don't care who they sell to so long as they get the sale.
or Koolies bought on impulse only to be dump when they are no longer pups or cute.
It's these Koolies who fall through the cracks that still need to be protected.
Many breed clubs like the Koolie club of Australia do have their own rescue group and support all efforts to assist their chosen breed when at risk, but as always I'm looking at what more can we be doing.
As we grow so does our strength to make a difference in the dog world and the world of the Koolie, so maybe like Shanaugh, Natelie, Sheree, Ailsa, Rachelle to name a few, a reader might see there is something they can offer, time, training, care, transport, watching, it all makes it easier and more efficient as this group with this most recent rescue have demonstrated.
Thank you to all our current team and those who choose to help in future, Koolies love you even more.
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