Crisis Support for GAL Volunteers

takecon · Master

Crisis Support for GAL Volunteers

FAJ · Enlightened One

Hello, Charles - I am in awe of the rescue efforts put in by GAL volunteers. I know I couldn't do it - I couldn't bear the heartache of not being able to save them all. Plus it must be sheer hard slog. It's a wondeful thing that you do, and I for one am very grateful.

Maybe we're not all cut out to be at the sharp end of rescue, but if we all pull together and do the wee bits that we each can do then hopefully, collectively, we can make a difference. As someone once said, in rescuing one dog you may not change the world for all dogs, but you will change the world for that one.

Here's another huge big THANKS to all GAL volunteers from me, Steve, Pearly and Harry.

Fiona

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

Charles,

After reading todays very sad news from Dave about the wee greyhound pup PTS, I'm sure many people will spare a thought for those GAL volunteers/workers who endure this on the front line.

I think GAL is a great 'community' with support round the corner, no matter what it may be.

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Hi Charles

I echo what Fiona and Lita are saying. I too would love to be at the sharp end to help GAL, but at the moment I must help as and when my circumstances allow it. I think all the volunteers do a marvellous job. I know it's not easy and I can understand how difficult it is to lose even one dog that might have been saved, especially one that you are involved with. But GAL could not exist without people like you. The fact that you do what you do for GAL means that many happy dogs are here today who may not have been if you hadn't intervened when you did.

I will always be grateful to GAL and their volunteers for allowing me to adopt Vegas. He's the best thing that's happened to us in a very long time.

Christine

Carol · Master

Dear Charles,

I am writing to lend my support and sympathy. While I have not had your experience, as a GAL volunteer, I have had the experience of taking a dog to its new home, only to find out that a few days later, it has been returned.

Even though we are not responsible for this happening, we do feel angry and guilty. We wonder if there was anything we could have done to stop it happening. We ask ourselves if there were any signs we should have seen that would have told us what was to come. We want to shed a tear for the dog and have done.

It is hard, I realise that, and you're probably wondering just now if it's worth doing something that can make you feel so bad. However, I know from experience of bringing a dog to you to foster (and getting incredibly lost on the way), that you have helped to save the lives of many dogs, cared for them and sent them on their happy way to their new homes. It is worth it!

Keep fighting the good fight Charles- it's all you can do.

C

-- Edited by Carol at 00:23, 2005-04-08

Dave · Enlightened One

I thought I'd take this opportunity to give a bit of background on Charles's post. Charles was working hard for GAL at Bothwell last Saturday and through his efforts in chatting to the public and walking the hounds there a young lurcher boy called Keane went to his new home. Due to the agreement we have in place with the SSPCA we're not 'officially' allowed to keep in touch with any of the new owners for the first 7 days after adoption so we have to satisfy ourselves that the new owners will contact GAL in the event of any problems withthe dog, we do our best in this circumstance by giving personal phone numbers and the GAL info line number but I'm afraid thats all we can do, this means that owners taking dogs from the SSPCA go without that all important GAL follow-up in the first week.

Charles received a call on Wedensday night from the family that had adopted Keane, sadly whilst playing with their young kid Keane nipped him. The family immediately took Keane back to the SSPCA and only called Charles after they had done so.

If the family had called GAL first we would have given advice and offered to remove Keane from their home if that is what they would have wanted.

It's the SSPCA's policy to put down any dog that has bitten, the dog will automatically be deemed by them as 'unhomable'. Sadly despite our best efforts Keane was PTS yesterday morning.

Another very frustrating event for GAL but we are not in a position to change SSPCA policy (yes, we have tried).

I hope thats went some way to explain the initial post, volunteering for GAL brings tremendous UP's and DOWN's, sadly the last couple of days have been mostly downs...

cheers

Dave

FAJ · Enlightened One

Gawd sakes - I am so sorry to hear about Keane. What the **** did the family expect, letting their small child play with a new dog like that? I know I'm preaching to the converted here, but what about supervision and education and giving the dog a bit of space to settle?

I'm not surprised everyone concerned were upset. There's not much to say in comfort except perhaps that GAL have done so much good and have made loads of dogs and people very happy.

Fiona

bluesmumanddad · Master

Having young kids myself I stressed the importance on letting Blue have his own space and let him come to them. Never let them stroke strange dogs when out usless owners say ok - its common scense really.

What a shame the family couldn't have the support of Gal this could easily have been avoided,

What a few days lets hope for some happier ends to stories soon.

Steve · Master

I can imagine the SSPCA have an overwhelming number of dogs/animals to handle and have to take pretty cut and dried decisions to be able to cope. But, saying that, and after reading the post, I think it is time to stop our £3 monthly donation to them and to add this to the monthly amount we already put into the GAL's 100 club.

Dawn · Guru

This is such a sad situation for everyone, esp you Charles, and I appreciate how frustrated, upset and angry you must be. There are so many, 'if only.... etc',

I know we only met recently, but I know how much good work you do on behalf of GAL, and I for one, admire you for the work you do. Best wishes, Dawn

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

I'm so angry - yes and sad! What ignorance on the part of the family that homed Keane and effectively destroyed him with their stupidity! But I'm also puzzled. Why on earth does the SSPCA not allow GAL volunteers to follow-up a new homing from them to find out how the dog is? It would establish a relationship with the new owners from the start and stress to them the importance and strength of GAL support behind them. It wouldn't cost the SSPCA a penny.

Charles, I can imagine the frustration, sadness and anger you feel, but this bad situation is far outweighed by the good work that you and all the other GAL volunteers do where happy dogs are rehomed to loving families prepared to give the dog a decent chance.

Dave, thanks for letting us know about this. SSPCA policy leaves a lot to be desired, particularly when they know that GAL could have intervened and prevented Keane from being destroyed.

And Steve, good for you - hope you let them know why you're withdrawing your money and where you're putting it now!

Christine

Lesley · Guru

I am dumfounded and deeply saddened by this.

I am a member of a fund-raising branch of the SSPCA and had no idea of their sweeping policies in this respect.

As Steve said - I imagine they have to have pretty cut and dried rules to cope with the number of animals they handle, but I cannot imagine why they would not let GAL do their follow-ups and offer their usual level of support to a new owner - surely that can only be helpful, and I don't understand why the SSPCA would think it would be anything else. You would think they would be pleased to have any additional assistance!

I am saddened and disillusioned, and not really sure what to do. After all - if there was no SSPCA - there would be virtually no support for unwanted animals in Scotland. But it is hard to stomach this apparently heartless approach.

takecon · Master

Hi Everone

Many tHanks for your support and understanding!

Thanks for Dave for explaining the circumstances in more detail.

It is hard when you try your best and make clear to new owners that you are there 24/7

I thank you all for your understanding - especailly for someone like me who - when I get bad news on telephone pour out my troubles on internet

PLease be assured that i continue my volunteer work at SPCA work on GAL's behalf

I'm human though - Its hard at times bit we go forward

Many thanks for all the GAL support - Its one of the great things about GAL

Keep up the good work

Charles Thompson takecon

takecon · Master

Hi Everyone from GAL

SPCA GAL Relationships

Many thanks for your comments / views re SPCA and GAL Relationship

It is very important that GAL keeps iin good terms withe SPCA. The access to the Bothwell SPCA Centre is very imnportant. We, GAl have a volunteer every Saturday promoting GAL ( that is a greyhound / lurcher or two times - meeting the people every Sat - for the hands on ghound/ lurcher experience - proven to be xxxtra effective with prospective new homers)

We, that is GAL, can do more good working with the current system with SPCA, than outwith.

So please - reist from complaints to SPCA - we in GAL are dealing with situation

We don't want to be barred

Charles Thompson , Charlie, takecon. takeonproperty

carolineasb · Old Hand

Charles

First can I say my heartfelt sympathy to you.

I must say that the SSPCA have other incomprehensible policies. For instance, a grey was found in the next village to mine. Sadly, I din't find out abt her until she had been passed from one farm to another farm to the vets then the police then Cardonald C & D Home. They would not let me adopt her because I lived "too near" to where she was found, not withstanding the fact that she could have been lost miles away from that. Their answer was that I might be assaulted and the dog taken off me! Even though they knew that I was a member of GAL and knew the difficulties with owning a grey and the threat of theft. Luckily, (& hopefully they were telling me the truth) she got a home.

I also cannot understand why they do not cat test dogs. They must be able to do something to ensure the safety of the cat as we do at GAL. Many dogs must be returned because of this & many not even given a chance by people who already have cats.

My Alfie did have problems when he got him, as some of you might know, & I thank goodness that we got him and not someone who would have just returned him to Bothwell and not worked with him to help him be the great dog he is now.

Rgds

Caroline