Dogs Trust Salisbury

theclonetrooper

I had our little 12 1/2 year old Jack Russell Millie put to sleep on Friday afternoon, (she had a tumour on her spleen), this broke my wife's, my sons & my heart but it was for the best and she went peacefully.
Yesterday, (Saturday), we decided that we would take Millie's things to the Dogs Trust at Newton Tony which is just outside Salisbury.
When we arrived there we went in and spoke to 1 of the girls who was behind the desk and explained how we had Millie put to sleep and we wanted to donate her things for the other doggies to use, (there was her basket, some pink wool blankets, 2 leads, some toys, 5 pippets of Front Line, 1 kg of Bakers senior dog food & 37 tins of Eukanuba dog food that my boss said I could donate from work).
All she said was "put it on the floor over there by that box of blankets", so I get the things from the car and put them where she said to put them and was rather annoyed as she didn't have the decency to say "thank you". Next we asked if we could see the dogs in the public viewing area, again all we got was a curt "you will have to sign in the visitors book!".
We had a quick look and left a couple of mins later totally shocked at how rude & ungrateful she acted.
So much for a charity that relies on donations from the public, I don't want to "tar" every person who works for or volunteers for The Dogs Trust with the same brush but I bet the dogs don't get treated as rudely as we were.
Sorry for the long post but I needed to get this off my chest now and I will be dropping a letter in to the Newton Tony Dogs Trust Manager first thing on Monday morning.

Pollycat

Sorry to hear about Millie.

No wonder you were upset by the woman's attitude - complete lack of customer care, volunteer or not.

I had exactly the same experience when I took 2 massive bags of decent clothes (Next, M&S etc) to our local British Heart Foundation charity shop.
The woman also said 'put them there', no 'thank you' - nothing.

I said 'Actually, I won't put them there, I'll take them somewhere that they may be a bit more grateful for donations' - and did.
Save the Children across the road said 'Oh thank you for thinking about us'.

geri1965_2

So sorry for your loss.

I realise a lot of charities rely on volunteers and maybe the person was having a bad day, but that is no excuse for rudeness!

Azari

Pollycat wrote: »

I said 'Actually, I won't put them there, I'll take them somewhere that they may be a bit more grateful for donations' - and did.

Well done you! :beer:

Bonniew86

I adopted a dog from the Dogs Trust in Salisbury in April. I did find them to be really kind and helpful, that was until I went to pick up my dog a week after picking her. We had a little talk from the behaviourist about food etc. which was really helpful. My issue was that when the meeting was done, I went to the desk to make the £80 payment, and that was it. I was sent outside to wait for my dog, no 'goodbye', no 'thank you', it seemed like they were so disinterested. Maybe I expected too much, I had visions of at least a wave bye bye from the staff. Also, during the meeting, we were told that they love getting updates on the dogs, so a few weeks later I sent an email with a few pictures of my dog out and about with a little written update, but I received no acknowledgement. Again, I think I expected too much.

I do agree that a lot of the staff are volunteers, but I would have thought a little bit more compassion would be shown...

zaksmum

I've also had problems with Dogs Trust. When we went to collect our new dog from them, a very rude man barged up to us - waiting outside the office as we'd been ordered to - and asked us what we wanted. I said we were there to rehome a dog and he laughed and said "No Chance - we're full!"

I corrected him that we were actually rehoming one of their dogs and he snapped "Why didn't you bl00dy say so then??" and stormed off.

Not a nice man.

Stooby2

If you don't mind the drive or you're close enough, "Last Chance Animal Rescue" at Edenbridge, Kent are fantastic. We've had three dogs from them over the years, they're a very friendly bunch of people working there. You're able to look at the dogs in the kennels and if you're interested, take one for a walk in their field or in their enclosed paddock - which I think is great for getting to know the dog, find out what it's like. We've recommended Last chance to friends who have all had great experiences with them.

PDC

Sorry to hear this, when we were looking for a dog severalyears ago we had a similar experience at our local Dogs Trust centre wherein the staff or volunteers seemed far from helpful or even polite. Perhaps they are so overworked or busy they don't realise the impression they are giving.

BillTrac

Does make you wonder. I would have thought if they were volunteers they would be much more tuned in to people donating, or giving the animals new homes.

Why volunteer if you don't appear to care?

Pollycat

I wonder if the OP did write to the Dogs Trust, Newton Tony and if so, if he ever received a response.

It does sound like some of the volunteers don't have the right approach to either potential adopters or people donating goods/food.

Such a shame as it could put people off looking round - and ultimately, it's the poor dogs looking for a new home that might suffer.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Stooby2 wrote: »

If you don't mind the drive or you're close enough, "Last Chance Animal Rescue" at Edenbridge, Kent are fantastic. We've had three dogs from them over the years, they're a very friendly bunch of people working there. You're able to look at the dogs in the kennels and if you're interested, take one for a walk in their field or in their enclosed paddock - which I think is great for getting to know the dog, find out what it's like. We've recommended Last chance to friends who have all had great experiences with them.

I got my first ever kitten from them. Every other rescue place I have been in contact with has failed to match up to their attitude.