SOME GUIDELINES
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1. Confidentiality - the Club is aware that
those who seek the help of Welfare & Rescue 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 Welfare & Rescue has not been asked to
reimburse more
owners 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 – Welfare & Rescue 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 Welfare & Rescue to ensure that ownership of
the dog being rehomed is not left with the original owner. Ownership of
all dogs rehomed by Welfare & Rescue remains with Welfare & Rescue 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 – Welfare & Rescue 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,
Welfare & Rescue will assist owners 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 – Welfare & Rescue will not
purchase dogs from members or third parties since such action would
inevitably create an ongoing opportunity for the unscrupulous.
6.
What Welfare & Rescue is not – Welfare & Rescue is NOT a substitute for canine insurance.
7.
ESSC Welfare & Rescue liaises with
the rescue activities of the other UK Shetland Sheepdog breed
clubs as necessary, but has no ties with any other Sheltie or general
rescue organisation.
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