A Wiltshire-based dog rescue which has been running for nearly nine years is on the brink of closure unless they can access support soon.
The charity, which has not been officially registered yet is called ‘Lease For Life’, and is based in Trowbridge.
Everything now currently pivots on whether the charity can recruit new foster carers and find affordable land to build kennels on.
The founder of the non-profit, Louise Reynolds said that it is in the last two months in they have had the highest number of dogs returned, the fewest adoption enquiries and the fewest people who are willing to come forward and foster a dog.
Explaining the scale of the problem, she told this newspaper: “We don’t know whether we can keep going, or whether we will just have to pull the plug.
“We have a situation where dogs are coming back to us, and we’ve got nowhere to put them, which is horrendous.”
Louise said she believes it is a widespread issue at the moment, with many rescue centres desperate for help.
She noted: “Rescue centres are screaming out for foster carers, but also I think it’s part of mass breeding which we saw in lockdown- everyone wanted a dog because they were at home.
“A lot of the reasons are because people are returning to their offices, as well.
“They might have thought they were going to be at home more, and now can’t be there for them as much.”
Louise added that there are more ‘problem’ dogs than there were pre-pandemic, meaning that due to lockdown restrictions, more dogs are showing signs that they have not been socialised properly after being at home more.
Having such behavioural challenges has forced owners to give them up, particularly new parents, according to Louise.
The charity had to embargo more dogs coming in to be rescued until 14 May, and with more dogs coming in to be looked after soon, Louise stressed that they have “no idea” where they will be able to home them.
Looking into the future, Louise said: “What we need to do is find some land where we can build a few kennels and space for static caravans because the dogs can’t be left, and for an affordable price- we’re sort of asking the earth, but we hope there’s a dog lover out there who can help.”
To get in touch with the charity, or rehome a dog, you can find out more on their website leashoflife.co.uk/dogs/
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