Page 166 - K9News_Issue12_July2020

Photo of Sue James, Dobermann Welfare
new homes, as it is important to match the dogs
to the right home. Before rehoming all dogs
will go into Four Seasons Kennels, Tredegar,
South Wales, to be assessed by the owner, Sue
James, one of our dedicated members, who is
a behaviourist & trainer and does a great job of
assessing the specific needs of the individual
dogs that we take in. We also look at the
requirements of the prospective new owners,
who always have to go to kennels to meet the
dog, as Sue has the last word on where the
dogs are rehomed.
We do not allow previous owners to have
the personal details of the dog’s new home,
although, if requested, we can let them know
how the dog is progressing, as we will do a
follow-up check to make sure that both dog and
owners are happy.
Even after the dog has been re-homed, we are
always available for help and advice and the
rehomed dogs are our responsibility for the rest
pf their lives. If at any time in the future the new
owners are unable to keep them, for whatever
reason, then the dog will come back to us.
We currently have four ‘Golden Oldies’ under
our care, who will be with us for the rest of their
lives, for various reasons. This includes Ollie,
although only 4 years old, was so traumatised
by being continually shocked with an electric
collar, and even after months of rehabilitation
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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / JULY 2020
and Pauline Hart, Vice Chairman of the
Welsh Dobermann Club - big supports of
the association
work by Sue James, cannot cope with any
changes to his environment, so he will stay
under our care for the rest of his life.
We have an associate membership scheme
called ‘Friends of D.W.A. Limited’ and produce
a twice-yearly magazine called Caring Hands,
which is distributed to all members.
Although our Treasurer & Re-homing Co-
ordinator, Sue Garner, puts all the magazine
articles together, in 2009 Yvonne Cox, Secretary
of the Birmingham Dobermann Club, joined us
as editor, as she has the expertise to convert the
articles into a format suitable for printing into a
magazine.
We are funded by donations and are lucky to
have the support of the Welsh Dobermann
Club, Birmingham Dobermann Club and South
West Dobermann Club who all make a yearly
donation to us.
None of our helpers receive any payment so all
of our funds are spent on the care and welfare
of our Dobermanns.
At the Welsh Dobermann Club last year Sue
James was given an award for her Services to
the Dobermann – see photo of her receiving the
award from Mrs Pauline Hart, Vice President of
the Welsh Dobermann Club