Page 86 - K9 News - Issue 14 - December 2020
P. 86
WELFARE
NEWFOUNDLAND
CLUB
WELFARE
T he Newfoundland Club, like many other not willing to contact the breeder. In any of these
Breed Clubs runs a Welfare Scheme.
circumstances, this is where the Newfoundland
Generally, this involves taking responsibility
for dogs when their owners are unable Club Welfare scheme comes in.
or unwilling to keep them. The term ‘Welfare’ Anyone who decides that they have to give up
rather than ‘Rescue’ is often used as many their dog can contact the Welfare Coordinators
Newfoundland enthusiasts think of ‘rescue’ to discuss options. Both the current owner
as something their dogs do to someone when and the dog’s details will be recorded by the
in difficulty in the water, that and the fact we Coordinator and they will be given a choice as
sometimes take in dogs that come from very to how to proceed. If the owner reaches the
loving homes but sadly circumstances mean conclusion to release the dog into the care of
they are no longer able to keep them … so we the Newfoundland Club the Coordinator will
are not rescuing them but helping find them agree how and when the custody of the dog
another good home! will be taken over by the Club. Often the dog
is placed within a foster home so that we can
Many responsible breeders insist that any dog assess the kind of home the dog will ideally be
they breed comes back to them if their owner suited to. Dogs are also assessed by a vet so
can no longer care for them, but sadly for a that we are aware of any ongoing treatment
variety of reasons this does not always happen. that may be required, and the Club then takes
responsibility for the financial burden of any
Unfortunately, not all breeders are reputable recommended care such as medication.
and, where the breeding venture is a purely
commercial one, will not offer any help to a Dogs are matched to a suitable home based
distraught owner who wants to be assured that on both the dog’s requirements and the
their dog will be given a good home for the circumstances and environment of prospective
rest of its life. Additionally, there may be very new owners.
legitimate reasons why a breeder is unable to
help, for example they may be experiencing The dog is then introduced to the new owners
poor health and are unable to take a dog of their and, if all goes well, is taken into his new
breeding back or even sometimes the owner is home soon after that. If the dog has been
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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / DECEMBER 2020
