Undercover boss - at the blue cross

devildog

I still find it incredulous to see some fairly costly pedigree breeds turning up for help. I fully appreciate that people can have a change in their financial circumstances (through no fault of their own) but I do think a check should be made to see if the animal was purchased before/after on supposed 'low income'.
I know that some of you will now say but what will become of the animal then but it really isn't any different to them saying staffies have to be neutered or no treatment(yes, I did hear the bit about giving them a warning first)

lostinrates

devildog wrote: »

I still find it incredulous to see some fairly costly pedigree breeds turning up for help. I fully appreciate that people can have a change in their financial circumstances (through no fault of their own) but I do think a check should be made to see if the animal was purchased before/after on supposed 'low income'.
I know that some of you will now say but what will become of the animal then but it really isn't any different to them saying staffies have to be neutered or no treatment(yes, I did hear the bit about giving them a warning first)

The sad thing is many breed societies operate breed rescue and have people on waiting lists and people who are prepared to foster if there is no available home...so its sad when these turn up in rehoming centres too. Particularly the less common dogs.

elsien

So what did you folks think about the merits of a compulsory neutering policy for the hard to home breeds like staffies?

Youdontseeme

I think I only caught the last 10/15 mins or so, wish I had seen i tall.

elsien wrote: »

So what did you folks think about the merits of a compulsory neutering policy for the hard to home breeds like staffies?

I think, if you are in a situation where you are getting free / greatly reduced vet care, then they should instist on ALL dogs.. and cats for the matter, being neutered not just staffies.

You dont want your mutt snipped take it to another vet and pay the full price?

YDSM

CH27

My dad adopted a rescue dog about 3 weeks ago.
We looked at two different places & about 70% of the dogs at both places were Staffie crosses.
It broke my heart to see them all knowing nobody would take them.

I think compulsary neutering is probably the best way to deal with the Staffie problem.

spike7451

I believe the ASSISI,who bought the dogs over from NI to the Blue Cross in the programme,spay & neauter ALL animals in their care as policy.

*Robin*

I thought this programme was very interesting, and it has the potential to do more good - for example, Snowyowl and Spike7451 have already pointed out one idea for improving the method of bringing dogs over from Ireland.

Now that the Boss [sorry can't remember her name] has shown she wants to make improvements, would she also be open to considering suggestions from members of the public who watched the programme?
Does anyone have a connection to the Blue Cross management - maybe they might like to contribute here?

I was a bit discomforted that the Boss chose to 'reward' the staff she'd met - but nothing was mentioned about giving similar rewards to the many staff and volunteers at other centres she did not visit.

elsien wrote: »

So what did you folks think about the merits of a compulsory neutering policy for the hard to home breeds like staffies?

Sadly, I think there are probably more BYBs churning out staffie pups than any other breed, so given the figures we were told on the programme, reluctantly I must agree.
However, I don't know whether the Blue Cross normally make any charge for neutering, but if they were to implement this policy then I think they should offer the op free for staffies, staffie-types and staffie crosses.

hethmar

I have divided feelings over the Blue Cross. My experience of them is that they are a bit sharp at putting down any dog that appears to be aggressive. Dont forget what these dogs have been through before they get to a rescue centre, they must be so hyped and scared............. The original dog Id heard of being PTS made me feel quite sick to the stomach as he was a sweet little JR we had already reviewed as being fine with people. The point being someone took him for a week and then returned him. When asked why they said he had tried to bite them. Now forgive me but I always wonder about some of these excuses when people return dogs - often its a get out because they realise the commitment involved. SO, poor little sod was put down.

Then just last week my cousin was terribly upset. He and his wife had been to see a Blue Cross dog at Devon - they liked dog, dog liked them and they were excited about the prospect of picking him up. They live a couple of hundred miles or so from the centre involved so 2 days before they were due to pick the dog up they rang the Blue Cross as they wanted to book a hotel for the previous night and wanted to know what time they could collect the dog. To their horror they were told quite bluntly the dog was dead - he had tried to nip the vet - they were heartbroken and not only had the dog been pts but no one had bothered to contact them. They could have quite easily have travelled the distance as arranged only to be told that awful news when they arrived with all the dogs new toys and equipment etc at the rescue.

Very poor show.

chez22

There is a follow up on the dogs rescued by ASSISI here http://www.bluecross.org.uk/89450/the-irish-dogs-at-kimpton-hertfordshire.html

and the kittens born on the programme http://www.bluecross.org.uk/89297/a-purrrfect-reunion.html

The Blue Cross have also set up a dedicated phone line for any issues the public would like to raise about the programme 0300 777 1 888.

rising_from_the_ashes

bluebeary wrote: »

good programme, i was pleased she offered the chance of a job to the lady who invited her round for tea, although im pretty sure she must have had an inkling about who she was

i appreciate her ideas for making the jobs of staff easier and offering the man and his disabled wife a long weekend away for his hard work, good moral boosting work but i dint see much of the actual animal problems being dealt with

Yup, I wondered if she thought she was the secret millionaire they were making - would you invite a total stranger you'd just met to your house for tea that night (unless a camera crew were in tow)!

However, I am pleased that she did get the job.

Youdontseeme wrote: »

I think, if you are in a situation where you are getting free / greatly reduced vet care, then they should instist on ALL dogs.. and cats for the matter, being neutered not just staffies.

You dont want your mutt snipped take it to another vet and pay the full price?

YDSM

Yup, agree 100% with this - they should make it policy that any animals who aren't neutered will be done if they want them treated - a small price to pay IMHO.

*Robin* wrote: »

I was a bit discomforted that the Boss chose to 'reward' the staff she'd met - but nothing was mentioned about giving similar rewards to the many staff and volunteers at other centres she did not visit.

Also agree with this, however, it's probably inevitable with this type of programme, I'm sure a few others who help BC may be feeling a bit put out by this.

I was also very surprised she chose to visit the "flagship" hospital (can't remember where it was) when she knows so many people there - she was bound to get rumbled!