Contingency Fund - Sheltie Rescue
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WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE – to provide
the Club with the ability to respond to the needs of Shelties when the
unexpected arises.
WHAT DOES IT COVER – in the
majority of instances, the Fund is used to help in looking after the
Shelties of members who are temporarily incapacitated or to rehome
Shelties left by members who have passed away. However, it would be
impossible to define ‘the unexpected’ and decisions on what situation
qualifies for help and what does not is in the hands of the ESSC
committee. The use of the word ‘contingency’ in the title is intended to
convey the message that the Fund is more than just a mechanism to help
rescue unwanted Shelties.
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Sandy
– rehomed 2005
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HOW DOES IT WORK
– the Fund has a national co-ordinator, Mrs Betty Peach, who calls upon
the services of a team of some twelve
volunteers located around the country. Requests for help should be
directed in the first instance to Mrs Peach who will decide on the most
appropriate course of action. Only in very exceptional circumstances
does the Fund offer its assistance (e.g. if the well-being of a
significant number of Shelties is in jeopardy) – it is normally the
member who must make the first contact.
THE HISTORY OF THE FUND – Miss Mary Davis identified the need for the Fund in 1969
partly because a well-known elderly breeder who owned several bitches
passed away without making any provision for them. The Club deposited an
initial £10 into a separate bank account for the Fund and to this day
the Fund’s finances are kept completely separate from those of the Club.
The Fund’s bank balance has grown steadily over the years for several
reasons
a)
Many fund raising events have been held by
supportive members
b)
Donations are received from time to time
c)
Legacies are received from the estates of
members who have passed away
d)
Many members assist the Fund as a service
to their fellow members and do not seek re-imbursement
The 1975 and 1995 Club Handbooks both carry articles
seeking to clarify how the Fund works.
SOME STATISTICS –
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2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
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Number of dogs rehomed |
25 |
28 |
32 |
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Helpers’ mileage |
796 |
505 |
1,512 |
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Helpers’ mileage costs |
£215 |
£136 |
£408 |
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Boarding fees |
£322 |
£216 |
£619 |
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Veterinary fees |
£546 |
£1,132 |
£2479 |
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Bequests |
£5,200 |
£30,439 |
£500 |
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Donations |
£1,332 |
£1,711 |
£5,314 |
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Meg – rehomed 2009
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SOME GUIDELINES
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1.
Confidentiality - the Club is aware that
those who seek the help of the Fund are unlikely to wish for their
application to be made public. Indeed, the desire not to be seen to be
seeking help financially and/or the risk of disclosure, are probably the
two main reasons why the Fund has not been asked to re-imburse more
members over the years and hence why funds have increased. Whilst so
doing may cause some members to accuse the Club of secrecy, the Club
does endeavour to deal with all requests for help in strictest
confidence.
2.
Rehoming – the Fund does all in its power
to ensure that the Sheltie involved gets the best start. This means
checking the suitability of the new home, possibly boostering/neutering/micro-chipping/medical
treatment of the dog before it is rehomed. To avoid subsequent
complications, it is necessary for the Fund to ensure that ownership of
the dog being rehomed is not left with the original owner. Ownership of
all dogs rehomed by the Fund remains with the Fund and registration
papers are not passed to the new owner. There have been cases where an
owner is suffering from mental illness and changes his/her wishes day by
day whilst a close relative with power of attorney has given permission
for the dog to be rehomed – the Fund does not wish to spend members’
money defending itself in a court of law. However, the team will, if
requested, seek information/photographs from the new owner of the dog
and pass these on to the original owner or his/her representative.
3.
Temporary incapacity – this is not the
same as rehoming and there is no question of signing dogs over in this
situation.
4.
Private rehoming – if it is possible, the
Fund will assist members looking to rehome a Sheltie by providing names
of people waiting to give a Sheltie a home. This may lead to a private
rehoming arrangement but, since none of the services associated with a
formal rehoming take place, this can potentially end in discontent for
both parties e.g. one party changing its mind, disagreement about terms
and conditions.
5.
Purchase to rehome – the Fund will not
purchase dogs from members or third parties since such action would
inevitably create an ongoing opportunity for the unscrupulous.
6.
What the Fund is not – the Contingency
Fund is NOT a substitute for canine insurance.
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Lucy & Misty – rehomed 2000 |
Sammy & Amy – rehomed 2004 |
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In conclusion, the Contingency Fund was set up to help and
it will do just that if, in the opinion of the Committee, the request
for help is genuine and deserving. The form and level which the help
takes must also be decided by the Committee.
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Should you unexpectedly find yourself in
difficulties or
feel you could offer a home to an older Sheltie, please contact the national
organiser who is:
Mrs Betty Peach, Bank End Cottage,
Gosberton, Spalding, PE11 4NU
t: +44 (0)1775 840800 e:
sheltiepeach@aol.com
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Should you
wish to make a donation to the ESSC Contingency Fund by PayPal please click here.
Donations by cash, cheque or credit card
can be made by contacting the Treasurer:
Mrs Marion Withers, Rose Cottage, The Green, Bures St Mary, CO8 5JU
t: +44 (0) 1787 227414 e:
marionwithers@dsl.pipex.com |
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