Wednesday 29 January 2014

Settling A Foster Dog Into Your Home & Setting Boundaries


Why do we need Foster carers for the dogs of the Trust?
We would not be able to help the dogs needing it if it were not for foster carers. The trust doesn’t have many kennels and they are there, really, for dogs that have nowhere else to go.
The dogs are far better in foster homes as we are looking to place them in new homes. Fosterers can report back with their assessments to enable the rest of the team to find the right home for that dog.
Parting with your foster dog can be hard sometimes, but knowing that he’s going to people who really want him and that you played a huge part in that is very rewarding.

What do we need you to do?
We need you to prepare the dog for a new home. Any little (or large) problems or even little quirks in their nature we need to know about. The foster home is the ideal place to iron out things. Anything at that can be misconstrued by someone else needs to be noted. There is nothing more upsetting than seeing a dog being returned to a rescue, sometimes time after time. It’s what got me into behaviour counselling in the first place.
Pound dogs often come with no background info at all so we need the fosterer to fill us in on all aspects of the dog’s character and behaviour. You don’t have to be an expert just tell us what you see. Pound dogs are not homed with young children but you as the fosterer may find that he is fine with children he meets outside and maybe your friends children so an adoptive home with younger children may well be an option.
We need you to tell us what he is like with other dogs, whether he pulls on the lead, how he is off the lead. (Never let a foster dog off the lead in an unenclosed space and then only if you are as sure as you can be that he will come back to you whether there are other people/dogs there or not and never within hours or a couple of days of fostering him.)

First Steps in preparing a dog for a new home.
You must have very strong boundaries for the dog from the start and stick to them no matter how he looks at you with those big brown eyes! Not every dog in the Trust has had a bad beginning to his life. Even if he has you can’t make up for it so don’t try. Dogs remember by association ie if he has been battered by a rolled up newspaper then he is likely to have an adverse reaction to a rolled up newspaper but he isn’t going to sit there worrying about it unless it happens. Not all dogs who need a foster home have problems of any sort but still need the initial boundaries.
Dogs like to know where they’re supposed to be and where their place is in the family. A dog that is allowed to do what he likes is not usually a happy dog, they like to have a bit of structure. He wants to know where he is allowed to go, where he’s going to sleep, when he will eat, when he will have exercise etc.
Adoptive families also need to have the same sort of boundaries initially.

What sort of Boundaries
You will find that the dog appears to ‘settle in’ quite quickly. Sometimes almost straightaway, this is fairly superficial though. Within a couple of weeks he will have worked out any weak spots and will have found out what he can get away with. He may well start to push his luck now if he is that way inclined. Of course, all dogs don’t take advantage of this but you have no way of knowing initially if your foster dog is one of them that will. So the first two weeks or so are very important in laying down the ground rules, calmly and quietly so he knows where he is. Avoidance of problems is much better than trying to cure them. Dogs sometimes are returned because the adopters don’t realise that the dog was allowed on a bed in the foster home, for instance, and become worried when the dog growls at them because they try to remove him from theirs.
Don’t let the dog have the run of the house. His adopters may not want a dog on the furniture, for instance, or upstairs. There can be difficulties in adopting a dog, teething troubles so we want to make that transition as easy as possible. It is far easier to relax the boundaries bit by bit if you want to than to suddenly change the rules because you now realise it’s not the behaviour you want.
If the dog is crate trained then make sure you use the crate. If not then it’s a good idea to crate train him. (See the blog on crate training). Have him sleep in the kitchen or utility, not in the bedroom. Having the dog with you all the time can create problems with separation anxiety, if not with you, then with the adopters. Also if you are a person who is home most of the time, make a point of leaving him now and again so he doesn’t become dependant on someone being around all of the time.

Support
There is always support for fosterers and adopters. We’re all volunteers and most of us have day jobs and other commitments but we will always respond as quickly as we can.
The important thing is not to let anything get out of hand. No one will think you ‘silly’ or ‘a bit of a wimp’ if you voice your concerns no matter how small you think they are. We would much rather know early on before they become bigger issues.
You may foster a dog and not have a problem at all and we need to know that too.

Linda Bettles
Canine Behaviourist 
01296 733747 or 07749240471
lindashearman@btinternet.com
Linda kindly supports the dogs in the care of the Algernon Trust and also offers a private service to people in need of advice with their dogs.


Saturday 11 January 2014

Volunteering At The Sanctuary Helping Care For The Animals


Algernon Trust Appeals For Volunteers



A local animal rescue & rehoming Sanctuary, the Algernon Trust in Whittlebury near Towcester, is appealing for people to spend a few hours each week to help care for the animals at the Sanctuary.




The Animal Sanctuary was set up over twenty years ago when the founder Jane Shepherd moved to Whittlebury near Towcester. For the first eleven years it was a purely private enterprise paid for entirely out of her own pocket.



As the Sanctuary grew over the years, and having exhausted all of her personal finances, the Algernon Trust was established in 2001 as a non-profit organisation in order to raise funds to keep the shelter going. 
Today, the Sanctuary is well known and respected.  They have achieved registered charitable status and have been entered into the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1151827.

Today, Jane continues to run the Sanctuary with an invaluable team of volunteers helping her care for the animals. It would be impossible for Jane to care for the animals alone and seven days a week each morning around 9:30 and evening around 5:30 two volunteers arrive, one will help care for the cats, feeding and cleaning out litter trays and the other will walk, clean out & feed the dogs.  Jane generally knows which volunteer will be coming on which day morning and evening, but there are still days where no volunteer is available, such as Wedensdays - evening helpers with dogs & cats are desperately needed.  From time to time because of holidays, illness or other commitments a regular volunteer may not be able to come to the Sanctuary and this is when she would call on her back up team, volunteers who are unable to commit to come every week at the same time but who can be called on to cover when required.

Currently we have the following regular slots available;


Dog Walking

Monday 5:30/6pm
Thursday 9:30am

Caring For Cats




The Algernon Trust from time to time hold volunteer open mornings where people interested in volunteering can come along to meet the animals and see what is involved in volunteering at the Sanctuary but can arrange this for people at anytime.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer or foster carer can contact Jane at jane.shepherd@me.com

Please note that volunteers must be over 14 years old

www.facebook.com/algernontrust 

In 1991 Jane arrived with just five feral cats, one fox and one rabbit. Today there are usually at least sixty cats, more than twenty dogs, plus foxes and assorted poultry in the Trust's care. Jane also provides a wildlife rescue service 24 hours a day 52 weeks a year.



The Trust re-homes cats and dogs where possible but many of the cats Jane takes in are sick and/or elderly who need to remain at the Sanctuary for the rest of their days. Currently there are over thirty residents. The Trust has become as much a hospice and retirement home for cats as a re-homing centre, and caring for sick and elderly feline friends puts an enormous strain on the Trust's finances.


Animals are taken in from a wide area not just from Northamptonshire and adjacent counties but from all over the country.  The Trust has a strict “no kill” policy and Jane has no age restriction and has taken in cats over 20 years old.  All animals are neutered, vaccinated and micro chipped before being rehomed, all at the expense of the Algernon Trust.


The Trust only has 4 kennels, all donated, plus the old ferret pen for emergencies.  Foster homes are relied on to provide temporary care for dogs and cats awaiting adoption. Sometimes it is necessary to keep dogs at private boarding kennels to ensure they are not put to sleep when the Sanctuary is full.  The kennels are paid for by the Trust.  Foster carers make a huge difference, not only does this reduce the cost of boarding kennels but it enables the dogs to live in a home environment until such time that they find their permanent homes. Fosterers provide love and food for the animals and the Trust provides support and covers vets bills.


Jane relies on volunteers to help at the sanctuary with feeding and cleaning out all the animals and dog walking. Tara is one such volunteer and this is her experience of volunteering:



“Volunteering at the Algernon Trust began, for me, in summer 2011. I met Jane when I took some food donations to the Sanctuary and didnt realise she had dogs at that time. Viewing the Trust website, I looked at all the other dogs & cats needing homes but also the animals that had already been rescued & homed by her and was very impressed at the amount of good work she had managed to do as a small rescue.

Unfortunately, due to tenancy, I am unable to have a dog of my own so volunteering with Algernon has given me a great alternative way of spending time with the dogs, enjoying walks and adding to their welfare, it has also been a great way to keep fit!

Volunteering has been extremely rewarding to me in terms of seeing how a dog can progress from a timid, abused rescue case in to a happy and confident family pet, not only enriching the animal’s life but also that of the new family who have been kind enough to adopt a new pet.

I have also met, and made friends with many like minded animal lovers at the Sanctuary which has been very helpful for me for two reasons. Firstly, it has given me the opportunity to get more involved in work of the Algernon Trust and secondly, on a selfish level, it is fantastic free exercise, whereas I may be tempted to skip the gym or exercise class, there is no way that I can let the animals down so it ensures that I maintain the exercise!



I would encourage anyone with some spare time and empathy for rescued and abused animals to get involved and do some volunteer work. It really is so rewarding and I am privileged to be part of the Algernon Trust!

Friday 10 January 2014

Cats & Kittens Looking For Homes (January 2014)






For further information about adopting or fostering any of these cats / kittens,
please contact Jane on 07977 555238 / 01327 858238
or Sarah on 01327 341826

Please note that all adoptions are subject to a home check and an adoption fee






 Tamsin

Tamsin is a lovely, very friendly pure black female who is approximately 20 months old. She came to us from Milton Keynes as a stray with two kittens who have since been re homed. She is neutered and chipped. She is alright with other cats but would probably prefer to be the only cat. She is very affectionate but can sometimes get a bit carried away, so she would not be suitable to live with very young children. Tamsin is currently staying at the Trust. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee. 




Dolly

Dolly is very pretty and full of beans, very playful and boisterous. She can get a bit carried away out of enthusiasm and attention seeking rather than any sort of aggression. As soon as you open the door she is there looking for attention. She tends to keep away from the other cats but does not show them any aggression. She is not suitable to live with young children. She is neutered and chipped and currently staying at the Trust. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.





Razzle, Jonah & Ozzie have been adopted










Razzle

Razzle is a tiny female tabby kitten 6/8 weeks. Very sweet and friendly. Can only be homed where there is another young cat. Presently being fostered near Daventry. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee. 





Jonah

Jonah is a male tabby kitten 6/8 weeks. Very sweet and friendly. Can only be homed where there is another young cat. Presently being fostered near Daventry. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee. 


Ozzie

Ozzie is a male black kitten 6/8 weeks. Very sweet and friendly. Can only be homed where there is another young cat. Presently being fostered near Daventry. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee

Jonah, Razzle & Ozzie





 Snowy

Snowy is a very handsome pure white male who is approximately 1 - 1 1/2 years old. He is very playful and loves to be fussed and combed. He has settled down well in his new foster home and is a very affectionate cat. He would probably be happiest homed as the only cat or with a female. He is neutered and micro-chipped and currently staying near Daventry. If you are interested in Snowy, please call Sarah on 01327 341826. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee. 




Jessie & Minnie
urgently need a new foster home or preferably a permanent home

Jessie is a very beautiful 12 year old Rough Collie. Sadly her owner has passed away and she needs to find a quiet home with her companion Minnie, a pretty tortoiseshell cat who is around 11 years old and has spent the last few years as a house cat. They are currently staying in a foster home in Banbury. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.

Here is a message from their current fosterers - Two sweet old ladies who need a quiet home to retire to with people who like to cuddle, as these two are real cuddle monsters! While they have been with us Jessie has changed from a very sad old girl with a tail that did not wag as she was grieving for the loss of her owner, to a cheeky funny and very loving old girl, she does not bark (only at a lawnmower apparently) but squeaks at you when she wants something which 9 times out of 10 is another cuddle. She enjoys short walks on the flat and plods along happily with short spurts of speed. She likes to great everyone she meets 2 legged and 4 – the 2 legged ones she leans into their legs and looks up into their faces – how can anyone resist (no-one has so far) She will wait if someone is behind us in the park for them to catch up so she can snuggle in and say “hello”.  Mini stayed away from us for the first few weeks, but now she is as affectionate as Jess, when you say her name, she makes very cute noises and reaches out her tiny little paw to touch you. She seeks out company in the evening and likes to sit on a lap in front of the TV. Mini is the boss in the relationship and rules with a tiny but firm paw. They sleep at night face to face noses almost touching......beautiful animals inside and out.






Ace

Ace is a 7 1/2 year old very petite black female with a fleck of white on her chest.  
I’m fairly nervous and easily scared. Fast movements make me scared. I like to wander around and can be quite aloof, I’m an independent moggy you see. Occasionally if the urge takes me I may surprise you by wanting a cuddle on your lap, I may not look like I’m enjoying it very much but you will hear me purring. I don’t like it when them peoples try to stroke me and I can’t see them, keep them hands where I can see them please and if I do allow you to pet me I like long slow strokes please, I have my glossy black coat to keep neat. I love to clean and be clean, I happily toilet outside or in a nice clean litter tray. I have this thing in my neck which apparently tells them peoples who I am and where I belong if I get lost. Biscuits are my favourite and I like some meat in that Jelly stuff. I don’t really like meat in that gravy very much. My favourite flavour is chicken. I dream all day long about those stick treats, any variety, they make me sooo happy. I hear the human with that wrapper when I am gardens away and I go running home and climb the humans leg to get to those stickies, they are the best but they just don’t last very long. I also like potatoes, the human looks at me funny when I hover and she is peeling potatoes, she laughed a lot when I stoled and ate some. They taste so good. I loves a scratch post, I don’t scratch the furniture at all, it’s just not the same as my post. Also, the human has this stuff they call cat nip, it makes me go funny and I like to play with my toys a lot when they have cat nip stuff sprayed on it.  I don’t like loud noises and that thing the human pushes around the floor that makes a load of noise is horrible. The lady human tells the man human he doesn’t use it enough, I think she calls it a hoover. Really fast moving things make me jump. I have only ever lived with big humans and cats, I don’t know about small humans or other animals. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee. 









Jaz & Beanie have been adopted



Jaz (Jasmine) and Beanie are both 18 months old. Jaz is a beautiful pure white female and Beanie is an adorable black female. They are neutered, vaccinated and chipped. Both girls are very friendly, playful, affectionate cats who need to be re-homed together. They are both very good with dogs and other cats. Jaz and Beanie are currently staying in a foster home in Banbury. Please call Sarah on 01327 341826. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.






Purdie (was Bertie)

Purdie is a lovely black and white female born in 2003.  She is very friendly, loves laps and sleeping on the bed. She is fine with children and does not seem at all bothered by other cats, but we are not sure how she is with dogs. She will make someone a wonderful companion. She is neutered, fully vaccinated and will be micro chipped. Purdie is currently staying in a foster home in Daventry. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.







 

Diva



Diva is a lovely black and white female about 5 months old. She has been diagnosed with possible food intolerance and is currently on a restricted diet. She is quite nervous and small for her age, so a home without young children would be preferred. She is neutered and chipped. Diva is currently staying in a foster home near Daventry. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.










  Nut & Bolt

Nut and Bolt were found scared and abandoned with their mother. Nut is a pretty female tortoiseshell and Bolt is a handsome black and white male. Both are feral and have been neutered. They are looking for an outside home together on a farm / stable. They must have a secure place to be shut in for at least 2 weeks prior to releasing. They are currently staying in a foster home near Daventry. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.







Hetty

Hetty is very affectionate but not very keen on other cats.  She is very sweet and would prefer to be the only cat and have her human's full undivided attention! She is neutered and chipped and currently staying in a foster home near Daventry. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.





Biscuit

Biscuit is a very friendly tabby and white bobtailed female, approximately 10 years old. She has lived with other cats and Tansy the Patterdale dog who also needs a home (please see our dogs page). Unfortunately her owner is in hospital and can no longer look after her. She is rather thin but is now eating well, the vet thinks she may have a thyroid problem, which is treatable and she will need some dental work. She desperately needs a loving foster or permanent home. Biscuit is currently staying near Daventry. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.









   Giggs & Eric


Giggs and Eric are both very affectionate and loving 3 year old black and white females! They are reluctantly having to be re homed as their present owners moved to live on a narrow boat and both cats have fallen into the water numerous times. Luckily the owners were there, heard them fall in and were able to get them out, but they are terrified that the worst may happen. Both cats are neutered, chipped and vaccinated. They desperately need to be re homed together and are not used to young children. Please call Sarah on 01327 341826 if you can offer them a safe home. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.






Harvey

Harvey has recently come into our care, he is a lovely black and white short haired male. We do not know very much about him and we are continuing to assess him. He can be a little shy, but he is very sweet and affectionate. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.





Tara

8 Year old Tara is needing a new home as her previous owners no longer want her.  She is incredibly timid & has spent most of the time cowering behind her litter tray since she arrived.  Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee. 







Daisy

Daisy has recently come into our care, she is a lovely black and white neutered female approximately 2 years old.  Sadly she has been badly treated and kicked, so she tries to be friendly but as she is so unsure she spits and hisses. She just wants to be loved and treated well. She urgently needs a very patient caring person to adopt or foster her to help her trust people again and not be afraid of them. For this reason she cannot be re-homed with children. Daisy is currently staying at the Trust. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.





Bobby

Mac



















Mac & Bobby have been adopted

Mac and Bobby are two very adorable brothers, born on the 11th August 2013. Mac is a ginger tabby and white, and Bobby is a ginger tabby. They are both chipped and will soon be neutered.  It would be preferable for them to be homed together but not essential.  They are currently staying in a foster home near Daventry. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee. 







Mila & Boo



Mila and Boo are both very sweet 19 month old black and white females. They are looking for a home together and are not used to young children. They are neutered, chipped and vaccinated. Mila and Boo are currently staying at the Trust. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.





Willow has been adopted

Willow has recently come into our care. She is a very pretty black and white female approximately 2 years old, possibly younger. Sadly she was found abandoned in an empty house. She is a dear little girl and is very affectionate, playful and friendly. She will be neutered and chipped. Willow is currently staying at the Trust. Adoption subject to home check and adoption fee.





Busby

Young Busby has been neutered & is looking for a new home.  He is currently staying at the Sanctuary.  Adoption subject to home check & adoption fee.





Meg

Meg is thought to be 10 years old if not a little older. She was found abandoned before Christmas and was desperately thin, she has had blood test to confirm this is not a medical issue. She is eating well, having lots of meat and biscuit available all the time She is putting on some weight now. She is very friendly. She is currently looking for a foster home. Subject to home check.