Richard Moore March ITP presentation

Editor's Notes

• #2: DOGS TRUST CURRENTLY HAS SEVENTEEN CENTRES ACROSS THE UK AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING OUR EIGHTEENTH CENTRE IN LOUGHBOROUGH. WE ALSO HAVE A CENTRE IN DUBLIN, SOUTHERN IRELAND.
• #3: DOGS TRUST HAREFIELD OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN MARCH 2006. THE CENTRE HAS 75 KENNELS AND CARES FOR MORE THAN 150 DOGS AT ANY TIME. WE REHOME AROUND 1000 DOGS FROM THE CENTRE EACH YEAR ALTHOUGH AROUND 10% OF DOGS REHOMED ARE RETURNED TO THE CENTRE. WE AGREE TO TAKE BACK ANY DOG REHOMED IF IT DOES NOT WORK OUT.
• #4: THERE ARE THREE WAYS IN WHICH DOGS ARE BROUGHT IN TO DOGS TRUST CENTRES: HANDOVER: DIRECTLY FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. MOST LIKELY REASONS THAT DOGS ARE HANDED TO US – CHANGE OF JOB, OWNER MOVED HOUSE/EMIGRATING, NEW BABY/OWNER PREGNANT, CHILD ALLERGIC, CAN’T AFFORD VET BILLS, DOG SHOWING UNPREDICATABLE BEHAVIOUR. STRAY: HANDED TO US BY FINDER OR SIGNED OVER FROM LOCAL COUNCIL ONCE DOG HAS COMPLETED THEIR SEVEN DAY HOLDING PERIOD (IN CASE OWNER COMES FORWARD TO CLAIM DOG). TRANSFER: FROM OTHER DOGS TRUST CENTRES (DOGS ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED FOR TRANSFER ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN AT THE CENTRE FOR 6 MONTHS) OR FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS.
• #5: WHEN TAKING DOGS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC WE CAN ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE DOG AND CAN DETERMINE WHETHER THE DOG WOULD BE ‘REHOMABLE’ AND WOULD COPE IN A KENNEL ENVIRONMENT. WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THE BALANCE OF BREEDS/TYPES OF DOGS IN OUR KENNELS. TOO MANY OF ONE PARTICULAR BREED OF DOG COULD REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT BREED FINDING A HOME. WE CARRY OUT A BEHAVIOURAL INTAKE ASSESSMENT OF EACH DOG THAT IS HANDED TO US: Behaviour when handled Behaviour when taken to kennel Introduction to other dogs Handling around toys/food?
• #6: THE HANDOVER QUESTIONNAIRE ALLOWS US TO GATHER INFORMATION ABOUT A DOG’S BEHAVIOUR IN THEIR PREVIOUS HOME AND WILL HELP US TO DECIDE ON THE TYPE OF NEW HOME THAT WOULD BE SUITABLE FOR THEM. THE HANDOVER PROCESS ALLOWS US TO IDENTIFY AND ACCEPT DOGS THAT WE KNOW WILL FIND HOMES QUICKLY AND THAT WILL BE LIKELY TO FIND APPROAPRIATE HOMES CONSIDERING THE LOCATION OF THE CENTRE i.e. WORKING BREEDS COPE BETTER IN THE COUNTRYSIDE / SMALLER DOGS CAN MANAGE WELL IN CITIES, BUILT UP AREAS. THE HANDOVER PROCESS ALSO GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IN DOGS TYPES/BREEDS THAT NEW ADOPTERS HAVE ASKED FOR.
• #7: STRAY DOGS MUST BE HELD FOR A MINIMUM OF 7 DAYS IN CASE THEY ARE CLAIMED BY THEIR PREVIOUS OWNER. ONLY THE DOG WARDEN/LOCAL AUTHORITY CAN CLAIM OWNERSHIP OF THE DOG ONCE THEY HAVE SERVED THIS TIME PERIOD. THESE DOGS ARE REFERED TO AS ‘7 DAY DOGS’. A DOG THAT IS HANDED TO US AND IS NOT REGISTERED WITH THE DOG WARDEN CAN BE REHOMED AFTER 28 DAYS BUT COULD STILL BE RECLAIMED IF A PREVIOUS OWNER CAME FORWARD. (PLEASE REFER TO SOP1).
• #8: WE HAVE FOUR MERCEDES SPRINTERS WITH 22 HOLDING KENNELS THAT CAN TRANSFER DOGS FROM OTHER DOGS TRUST CENTRES AND FROM OTHER ANIMAL CHARITIES. IF A DOG IS NOT ABLE TO FIND A HOME AFTER A PERIOD IN ONE REHOMING CENTRE IT IS WORTH MOVING THEM TO ANOTHER CENTRE TO FIND A HOME.
• #9: ALL DOGS ARE HELD IN THE ADMISSIONS / ISOLATION AREA FOR A MINIMUM OF SEVEN DAYS BEFORE THEY ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO BE REHOMED. ALL DOGS ARE GIVEN A HEALTH ASSESSMENT. WE ALSO CARRY OUT FULL BEHAVIOURAL ASSESSMENTS OF THE DOGS TO DETERMINE THE TYPE OF HOME THAT WOULD BE SUITABLE FOR THEM.
• #10: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT OUR DOGS HAVE A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE WHILST THEY ARE WITH US. ALL DOGS ARE EXERCISED ON AND OFF LEAD EACH DAY AND SOCIALISED WITH OTHER DOGS WHEN EVER POSSIBLE. WE ENCOURAGE STAFF TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO NEW DOGS THAT THEY MAY NOT GET OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH AND SOME STAFF WILL WORK IN KENNELS WITHOUT UNIFORM.
• #11: THE REAL LIFE ROOM GIVES US AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE EACH DOGS BEHAVIOUR IN A HOME ENVIRONMENT. WE TRY TO GIVE BASIC TRAINING TO OUR DOGS WHEN TIME ALLOWS. A WELL BEHAVED DOG IS MORE LIKELY TO FIND A HOME EASILY. CEVA DAP COLLARS HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO HELP SOME OF THE DOGS ADJUST TO THE KENNEL ENVIRONEMENT. WE WILL ALSO REHOME DOGS WITH THESE COLLARS WHEN NECESSARY. DAP DIFFUSERS ARE NOT SO EFFECTIVE IN A KENNEL ENVIRONMENT. THE HOME FROM HOME SCHEME OFFERS DOGS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE FOSTERED AWAY FROM THE KENNEL ENVIRONMENT WHILST WE LOOK TO FIND THEM A NEW HOME. THE FOSTERERS ARE GIVEN FINANCIAL SUPPORT
• #12: A DOGS LOCATION IN THE PUBLIC VIEWING AREA CAN HELP THEM TO FIND A HOME. MOST PEOPLE WILL SHOW LESS INTEREST IN THE FIRST TWELVE KENNELS BECAUSE THEY ARE EAGER TO SEE WHAT OTHER DOGS ARE AVAILABLE. THEY WILL USUALLY SHOW MORE INTEREST IN THE FINAL KENNEL THAT THEY VISIT. BY LOCATING THE MORE ‘DIFFICULT’ DOGS IN THE RIGHT KENNELS WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THEIR CHANCES OF BEING REHOMED ARE GREATLY INCREASED. PAIRING DOGS CAN HELP THEM TO FIND A HOME. SIMPLE TECHNIQUES LIKE PAIRING A LARGE DOG WITH A SMALL DOG OR AN ADULT DOG WITH A PUPPY GIVES A POSITIVE IMPRESSION OF THE ‘HARDER TO REHOME’ DOG.
• #13: KENNEL FRONTS ARE PLACED ON EACH KENNEL TO GIVE A BASIC DESCRIPTION OF THE DOG. PEOPLE VIEWING THE DOGS CAN EASILY IDENTIFY WHETHER EACH DOG MIGHT BE SUITABLE FOR THEIR LIFESTYLE AND HELPS TO REDUCE THEIR LIST OF POSSIBLE DOGS TO REHOME.
• #14: A DECORATED KENNEL CAN HELP TO DRAW ATTENTION TO A DOG THAT IS FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO BE REHOMED. THEMED KENNELS CAN WORK VERY WELL BUT YOU SHOULD LIMIT THE NUMBER OF KENNELS THAT ARE DECORATED FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT.
• #15: OAKFIELDS IS BASED AT OUR SHREWSBURY CENTRE, SHROPSHIRE AND WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED TO GIVE OLDER RESCUE DOGS A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO LIVE. IT HAS NOW BECOME A VERY SUCCESSFUL FACILITY FOR REHOMING OLDER DOGS.
• #16: YOU CAN USE A COMPUTER IN YOUR RECEPTION AREA TO PLAY FOOTAGE OF THE DOGS PLAYING, EXERCISING , USING AGILITY EQUIPMENT. DOGS ARE MORE EXPRESSIVE IN THESE SITUATIONS AND IT SHOWS POTENTIAL NEW OWNERS HOW ACTIVE OUR DOGS CAN BE. BY SHOWING A DOG OUT OF THE KENNEL ENVIRONMENT IT CAN HELP TO FIND THEM A HOME. OPEN DAYS ARE AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF REVENUE AND PUBLICITY BUT CAN BE VERY TIME CONSUMING. IF THE MEDIA IS USED CORRECTLY IT CAN BE A GREAT SOURCE OF FREE ADVERTISING. OUR MRU’s (MOBILE REHOMING UNITS) ALLOW US TO TAKE DOGS TO POPULAR LOCATIONS; TOWN CENTRES, RETAIL PARKS, SUPERMARKETS.
• #17: THIS MAP ALLOWS US TO SEE THE AREAS THAT WE ARE REHOMING DOGS TO. THE MAJORITY OF OUR DOGS ARE REHOMED WITHIN A 10 MILE RADIUS OF THE CENTRE. THIS MAP IS USEFUL TO IDENTIFY AREAS THAT WE ARE NOT REHOMING TO. WE CAN THEN TARGET THESE AREAS USING ADVERTISING, MRU’S, PROMOTIONAL EVENTS SUCH AS DOG PARADES, COLLECTIONS, ETC.
• #18: THE HOMEFINDING QUESTIONNAIRE ALLOWS US TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF HOME THAT THE MEMBER OF PUBLIC CAN PROVIDE FOR A RESCUE DOG.
• #19: IT IS IMPORTANT TO IDENTIFY AT INTERVIEW A WELL BALANCED PERSON WHO HAS CUSTOMER CARE SKILLS AS WELL AS DOG EXPERIENCE. OUR STAFF ARE GIVEN REHOMER TRAINING TO HELP THEM TO MATCH THE RIGHT DOG TO THE RIGHT HOME. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT STAFF HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF BREED TYPES AND DOG BEHAVIOUR.
• #20: IN ORDER TO CONFIRM THAT THE NEW HOME IS SUITABLE WE ASK ALL FAMILY MEMBERS TO MEET THE DOG AND EXISTING FAMILY DOGS MUST VISIT ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS. CAT INTRODUCTIONS MAY BE CARRIED OUT TO HELP US DETERMINE WHETHER THE DOG WOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE WITH CATS. HOME VISITS TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE DOG GOES HOME. IN SOME EXCEPTIONS WE WILL ACCEPT A VETERINARY REFERENCE INSTEAD. IT USUALLY TAKES ONE WEEK TO COMPLETE THE ADOPTION PROCESS. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME THAT A DOG WILL STAY IN A DOGS TRUST REHOMING CENTRE IS 35 DAYS.
• #21: ALL NEW ADOPTERS MUST ATTEND A PRE ADOPTION TALK BEFORE THEY TAKE A DOG HOME.
• #22: MICRO CHIP – EXPLAIN 24 HOUR DATABASE OPERATED BY PETLOG PETPLAN INSURANCE – MUST COVER FSA REQUIREMENTS. ENCOURAGE TO TAKE PERMANENT INSURANCE AT END OF 4 WEEKS. PETPLAN A GOOD PRODUCT, BUT THERE IS STRONG COMPETITION. KEEPSAFE TAG – EXPLAIN IT HAS A UNIQUE REGISTRATION NUMBER FOR THE DOG AND PROVIDES A FREEPHONE NUMBER TO A 24/7 DATABASE THAT KEEPS A RECORD OF ALL ADOPTER’S CONTACT NUMBERS AND WILL KEEP RINGING THEM ALL UNTIL CONTACT IS MADE. MEMBERSHIP IS FOR ONE YEAR. KEEPSAFE WILL CALL THEM TO INVITE THEM TO UPGRADE TO MEMBERSHIP FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE DOG. DETAILS OF THE KEEPSAFE SERVICE ARE CONTAINED IN THE PLASTIC ENVELOPE THAT THEY RECEIVE. FOOD PACK – THIS IS TO TIDE THEM OVER FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. IT IS PROVIDED BY ARDEN GRANGE AND IS THE FOOD THE DOG HAS BEEN EATING IN THE CENTRE. ARDEN GRANGE CAN EASILY BE BOUGHT FOR HOME DELIVERY – A FORM IS INCLUDED. THIS IS A FAST AND EFFICIENT SERVICE. COLLAR AND LEAD – PROVIDED FREE TEMPORARY ADDRESS TAG – TO TIDE THEM OVER UNTIL THEY CAN GET A PERMANENT ONE
• #23: N.B: THESE ARE ONLY THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS. N.B. ALSO: IF THE DOG IS IN A GARDEN TO WHICH THE POSTMAN, MILKMAN OR OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE ACCESS, A COLLAR AND TAG ARE REQUIRED TO BE WORN.
• #24: YOU DO NEED TO STRESS THAT COMMITMENT AND EFFORT IS REQUIRED ON THE PART OF THE ADOPTER. HOWEVER, ALSO EXPLAIN THAT ALL DOGS ARE DIFFERENT AND THAT SOME WILL SETTLE FASTER THAN OTHERS
• #25: KEEP THESE TOPICS BRIEF AND TO THE POINT. STRESS THAT HOUSE TRAINING NEEDS PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE OF MISTAKES. NO POINT IN PUNISHING THE DOG STRESS THAT ALL TRAINING MUST BE REWARD BASED. IT TAKES TIME, PATIENCE AND COMMITMENT FROM THE ADOPTERS. ENCOURAGE THEM TO ATTEND CLASSES, PARTICULARLY OURS WHERE WE RUN THEM. HOW TO LEAVE DOG ALONE IN HOUSE GIVE ADVICE ON RECOGNISING WHAT THE DOG IS “SAYING” WITH HIS BODY. ADVISE ALSO ON GAMES THAT MAY BE SUITABLE OR UNSUITABLE FOR VARIOUS TYPES – WHO SHOULD INITIATE AND END THE GAME AND WHO SHOULD WIN HOUSE RULES. MAKE HOUSE RULES AND STICK TO THEM. DOGS ON FURNITURE AND BEDS – THE DIFFICULTIES THIS CAN CAUSE SOCIALISING – GIVE SIMPLE ADVICE ON DEALING WITH OTHER HUMANS, VISITORS TO HOUSE AND CHILDREN SOCIALISING WITH OTHER ANIMALS AND DOGS – SIMPLE ADVICE AGAIN. ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO MENTION TRAINING CLASSES. REMEMBER THAT THERE MAY BE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM AN INDIVIDUAL CHAT ABOUT THE PARTICULAR DOG THEY ARE ADOPTING. YOU SHOULD TAKE THEM TO ONE SIDE AFTERWARDS OR BEFOREHAND.
• #26: KEEP THESE TOPICS ALSO BRIEF AND TO THE POINT. FEED THE DOG THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GOOD QUALITY FOOD. KEEP AN EYE ON WEIGHT AND ADJUST FOOD ACCORDINGLY. DO NOT CHOP AND CHANGE BETWEEN DIFFERENT FOODS – IT ENCOURAGES FUSSY EATING. ALLOWING THE DOG TO BECOME OVERWEIGHT PUTS EXTRA STRESS ON BODY AND IS UNHEALTHY. CONTROL THROUGH DIET AND EXERCISE DOGS NEED EXERCISE WHATEVER THE WEATHER! IT IS IMPORTANT IN KEEPING THEM AND THE ADOPTER FIT AND GIVES THEM MENTAL AS WELL AS PHYSICAL STIMULATION. SOME TYPES OF DOGS NATURALLY MORE ENERGETIC THAN OTHERS AND HAVE GREATER EXERCISE REQUIREMENTS CAR TRAVEL – TOUCH BRIEFLY ON HOW TO GET THE DOG USED TO TRAVELLING. RESTRAINT WHEN IN CAR ETC.
• #27: . THE FIRST OF THESE POINTS NEED STRESSING – THEY DO NEED TO GIVE THE DOG A FAIR CHANCE. THE SECOND POINT, VETFONE, JUST NEEDS EXPLAINING TO SAY THAT THE VET NURSE WILL ADVISE ON SIMPLE ISSUES, BUT WILL ASK US TO CONTACT THE ADOPTER TO HELP THEM WITH MORE SERIOUS ISSUES THE THIRD POINT AGAIN NEEDS STRESSING AND OFFERS A CHANCE TO PLUG THE VALUE OF DOG TRAINING CLASSES.
• #28: WE WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER AS MUCH SUPPORT AS POSSIBLE ONCE THE DOG HAS BEEN REHOMED. THIS INCLUDES BEHAVIOURAL SUPPORT AND ADVICE FOR THE LIFE TIME OF THE DOG.
• #29: TRAINING CLASSES ARE OFFERED TO ALL NEW OWNERS. WE PROVIDE A 6 WEEK COURSE THAT TEACHES BASIC TRAINING TECHNIQUES AND GOOD BEHAVIOUR USING REWARD BASED THEORY.
• #30: IT IS IMPROTANT TO REVIEW THE REHOMING PROCEDURE. HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF FEED BACK FROM PREVIOUS STAFF MEETINGS HELD AT DOGS TRUST HAREFIELD.
• #32: THE FOSTER SCHEME PROVIDES A GREATER OPORTUNITY FOR OLDER DOGS OR THOSE WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS TO FIND A HOME. PART FOSTER : DOGS TRUST WILL PAY THE COSTS OF ANY VETERINARY TREATMENT RELATED TO A SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONDITION i.e. EPILEPSY, ARTHRITIS, SKIN CONDITION. FULL FOSTER: DOGS TRUST WILL PAY FOR ANY NON ROUTINE VETERINARY TREATMENT. WE WOULD PREFER TO PAY THE VETERINARY COSTS FOR A DOG THAT IS HAPPILY SETTLED IN A HOME RATHER THAN THE DOG CONTINUING TO LIVE IN A KENNEL BECAUSE NO ONE IS WILLING TO TAKE THEM ON.
• #33: THE CANINE CARE CARD GIVES OWNERS THE PEACE OF MIND THAT THEIR DOG WILL BE CARED FOR SHOULD THEY DIE.