The North East Terrier Rescue, based in Northumberland, has issued an online plea to elderly dog owners after taking in a series of dogs whose owners have died, leaving families unable to care for them.
Recent admissions include a senior mixed terrier named Captain, described as looking for "a sofa to call home and a whole load of TLC." The rescue says the situations have left them in a difficult position and are urging elderly owners to have difficult conversations before it is too late.
Rescue manager calls for early conversations
Leila Shirvani, manager of North East Terrier Rescue, told ChronicleLive that the issue has become one of the top reasons for dog handovers. "We, as a rescue, take in dogs from many different situations and backgrounds, e.g., pound/stray dogs, welfare cases and of course owner relinquishments. For the past few years, one of the very top reasons for people handing dogs over to us is due to elderly family members passing away and the family not being in a position to take their pets on."
She called the instances "Very sad indeed. Conversations are rarely had about what will happen with much-loved pets if the worst were to happen. More often than not, assumptions are made, or it simply doesn't cross people's minds to think of such eventualities."
"In reality, all pet owners should be having these conversations with family/trusted friends from very early on when taking a pet on. It is very important to discuss options and wishes. I fully appreciate it's not something people may want to think about or consider, but it really is vital to the welfare of the pet."
Recent cases include Captain and a Border terrier
Captain, a senior terrier mix, came to the rescue after his previous owner passed and no one could take him on. Shirvani said he is the "sweetest, softest boy, but is pretty lost and confused at the moment" after living in the same home for over 10 years.
She added: "Captain's family, for example, have a rescue dog of their own, which is dog-reactive, and Captain himself is not at all keen on other dogs. Very much a people's dog. A very soft-natured, gorgeous old soul, but really needs to be someone's one and only in a pet-free home."
In the past month, four dogs have been surrendered to the rescue in similar circumstances, forcing it to crowdfund to cover vet bills. Shirvani described other cases, including a Border terrier whose owner died and who ended up temporarily at a local pub, and a Westie whose owners passed away, leaving a teenage grandson who was "in no position to take the dog on."
Rescue welcomes backup plan registrations
Shirvani encouraged all pet owners to "have the conversation, discuss options, and make their wishes known very early on in their pet ownership journey." She added that the rescue would welcome communication and register details for people who needed them as a backup plan.
"One of the issues we have when people pass, and family/friends hand dogs over, is that they may not be very knowledgeable about the dog's needs/health background/character, etc. It would be much better for us to have communication from the actual owner early on and to note some vital information, and perhaps to have it recorded at the vets that rescue have permission to access history in such an eventuality."
