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Coronavirus statement and information. SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19)

To make a donation towards our running costs due to the Coronavirus restrictions follow this link

Current situation regarding our activities in the UK
This information will be updated from time to time as the situation changes. Last update 15th January 2022

The current coronavirus restrictions, as of the date of this update, have not changed our criteria.

We are taking applications to adopt dogs but until further notice people wishing us to take in a dog will have to deliver it to us in Yorkshire and in most cases people wishing to adopt a dog will have to collect it from us in Yorkshire after a successful home visit.

We are assessing dogs we take in, primarily for aggression towards people and dogs. If a dog fails our assessments we will not be able to take it.

We are currently restricting new applications to homes in rural locations where there are no children under the age of 8 years  and there is an adult at home for most of the time to offer the dog companionship.
If all adults in the home are shift working or temporarily working from home and will return to a workplace when restrictions allow, we are sorry but we could not accept that application.
Dogs are social animals and rely on the company of humans for their mental health.

We will not be taking applications from urban or suburban areas - only rural.
The dogs we are being asked to take in are generally unsuited to any but quiet rural homes.
Rural is defined as farms, smallholdings and homes in the countryside or homes on the edge of small, quiet villages that are not on main roads or part of housing estates.

Our office opens from 2pm to 5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Our advice line opens from 2pm to 4 pm on Thursdays for help with training or behavioural issues.

Status in different countries of the UK

As of the date of this update our procedures are the same throughout the UK.

In all cases and all countries the following applies -

In any situation where there is contact between our volunteers and members of the public, masks and any other appropriate PPE must be worn by both parties and social distancing must be observed.
This will apply irrespective of any legal requirement to wear PPE or maintain social distancing.
The pandemic is not over but legal restrictions are being relaxed and in their place people are expected to take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. We take this seriously and expect our clients to do so as well.

We cannot take in any dogs showing aggression to people or other animals - please see below for further details about aggressive dogs. Dogs will need to be assessed before we agree to take them and if they show aggression we will not be able to take them.

Until further notice, people wishing to have us take in a dog will have to deliver it to us in Yorkshire and in most cases people wishing to adopt a dog will have to collect it from us in Yorkshire.

England

Scotland

Wales

We are now working normally with due regard to social distancing and PPE throughout the UK.
New restrictions introduced by the government on Tuesday 30th November 2021 have not changed our position.

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If you have an Aggressive Dog you want us to take in:-

We are unable to take in dogs with any form of aggression, either towards people or other dogs or animals.
People do not come to rescue organisations to adopt an aggressive dog and we cannot re-home them.
If you have a dog you are seeking to re-home because you believe it may pose a risk to yourself, your family, your children or others you will understand why no one else would want to adopt it and take on that risk. People do not want to take on such risks.

You may think that your dog is loving and obedient most of the time with a good nature and only occasionally becomes aggressive. This makes your dog unpredictable. This is worse not better. A dog with unpredictable aggression is more dangerous than a dog that is aggressive all the time.

You may think that rehabilitation could make a difference and permanently cure your dogs aggression?
Rehabilitation of an aggressive dog can take a long time and the behavioural modification program needed to achieve success does not just stop at the point the dog ceases to display it's aggressive behaviour.
Whoever took on the dog would have to understand the triggers behind it's aggression and continue to employ the same behavioural modification program indefinitely to ensure the dog does not regress. People will not willingly take on this work and responsibility.

The Dangerous Dogs Act defines a dog as dangerous if: 'On any occasion on which there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will injure any person, whether or not it actually does so’.
In short this means that a dog is classed as dangerous if someone believes it may attack them and cause injury. It does not have to do so, just appear that it may do so. If you think your dog displays this behaviour you are classing it as 'dangerous' within the definition of the law.
A dog that is dangerously out of control and attacks someone (or another animal) will make it's owner, keeper or handler liable to be sued for compensation under civil law and criminally responsible for the dogs actions if a human is frightened or injured. This offence carries potentially severe consequences if a criminal prosecution is brought against them. People do not want to take on these liabilities.

Dogs with aggression have the best chance of a good life if they stay where they are and are rehabilitated by people they know in an environment they are used to. If they are passed on, stress will add to their problem. We are happy to advise in these situations but cannot take such dogs in.

If you ask us to take on your dog, we will not be able to do so if it has any form of aggression.
If you try to hide this it will become apparent when the dog is given a pre-acceptance assessment when you bring it to us and on the basis that aggression is noted we would refuse to take the dog into our care. You would have to take it back with you.

Fundraising

The Coronavirus pandemic has had a serious impact on our fundraising abilities.
Other than voluntary donations our income streams had dried up but we still have dogs to feed and care for and other outgoings to cover. It is now getting better, but we have some catching up to do
Times are difficult for all of us but if you are able to spare something to help, please make a donation.

To make a donation towards our running costs due to the Coronavirus restrictions follow this link

If you can help us, thank you.

Please be careful, follow NHS guidelines and government advice, look after each other and your faithful friends and stay healthy.

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