THE OTHER SIDE OF RESCUE
As you would see on our website and Facebook page, Moving Paws Inc
has always had a steady stream of homeless dogs coming into our care and going
to loving forever homes.
We are a small team and we
care deeply about every dog that we rescue. The organisation was started
because we are passionate about dog rescue and want to help animals in need.
We are all invested deeply in the welfare of the animals
that come to us; no one more so than me.
When a dog is surrendered I become its legal owner - it is my
responsibility, its future health and happiness is my responsibility, and this
is something I take very seriously.
Most of the time, these dogs have had a very difficult
start to life. I am responsible for their future, and it is a huge
responsibility. More than anything, I want them to be successfully re-homed with
a minimum of stress and live out long and healthy lives in their forever homes.
They deserve 110% love going forward. It is up to us to ensure the very best
outcomes.
This responsibility weighs heavily.
I love animals so much and their plight takes a huge
personal toll on me. I very often take on their problems and their owners’
problems. I have had a strong sense of empathy since a very young age, and I
always wanted to help make the world a better place. When I founded Moving
Paws, I soon came to realise the emotional toll that this takes.
In rescue, we witness some terrible suffering, and this
stays with the majority of us. Dogs may be sick, neglected, and traumatised,
but it is extremely rewarding when we know we have made a difference; and this
is why we continue to rescue and change lives.
We look at the bigger picture – that of the second chance.
Adoptions are always tinged with sadness as we say
goodbye to those we love very much. It doesn’t get any easier, and each dog is
a new goodbye. When we approve an adoption, we place a huge amount of trust in
the new owners to continue what we started and we pray that this happens.
It is hard to truly explain the heart and soul that is
put into caring for and rehabilitating the special needs dogs we take into
care. I have always tried to remain
focused on our goal to rescue and rehabilitate without judgement.
We greatly appreciate all of our supporters, and we would
like people to understand that adopting a dog from us is more than a
transaction. We put everything into their rehabilitation and we say goodbye
with very mixed feelings. A lot of work goes into ensuring our dogs are
equipped for their new lives. We also work hard to ensure they go to the most
suitable homes possible. Not all dogs are suited to all situations, and we
carefully consider all applications to ensure the best outcomes.
We are very fortunate that the majority of our adopters
stay in contact and remain part of the Moving Paws family; however, there are
some that prefer not to. There are no rules, but it makes our job easier when
we can see that our dogs are doing well.
Over the past year, I personally have taken on more than
I should have, as the dogs’ lives have always been my number one priority. This meant that carers, adopters, and lots of
people and situations didn’t get the support that I feel is needed by the founder
of an organisation. I had spread myself too thin… Something I made a commitment
not to do. I have also experienced some
fairly deep bullying and nastiness from members of the public.
Occasionally I used to feel that it may be time to take a
step back from outside pressures, but I never did - thinking myself weak for
having such thoughts. My rescue work
continues behind the scenes everyday with our sanctuary dogs, foster carer
communication, book work, enquiries, vet appointments and running the
organisation. All this doesn’t leave
much time to deal with much else.
But the time did come - and has come - that I needed to
take a step back for the sake of my own personal well-being. Moving Paws is my reason, my passion, and it
always will be. The Moving Paws team are
dedicated, caring, and love animals and I am very proud of this
organisation. But for now, I will not be
personally fostering any more dogs. My commitment at present is to my sanctuary dogs and the MP team. The pressure of re-homing has
weighed deeply on my heart for too long and it needs a break.
We need to put the animals first and ensure that we do
everything in our power to help them and this I will always do - and I will be
better for it having had a break.
Regards, Debbie
Founder - Moving Paws Inc.
Please consider a donation to Moving Paws Inc if you share our vision that all pets deserve a second chance.
Thank you for reading!
Please share our blog, browse our website, and check out Moving Paws Inc on Facebook and Instagram.
Please share our blog, browse our website, and check out Moving Paws Inc on Facebook and Instagram.
This blog post sponsored by
Bluehound Content Studio
