I know it's been mentioned on here previously, but I did say I'd give it another shout, just in case some folk missed it last time around.

Are you a dog lover? If so, please think about the stray dogs in our kennels during these cold winter months! We at the Animal Control Service are appealing for any old blankets or bedding you may be able to donate to help keep the dogs in our kennels warm and cosy.

We can make use of most material items, for example, curtains, sheets, duvet covers, towels and throws. The only exception is anything feather filled, i.e. duvets and pillows as the dogs like to have feather parties with these!

If you have anything you would like to donate, then please call 0114 203 7410.

The Animal Control Team


Jon

If anyone see any dog blankets in local charity shops in S8 let us know and I will go and get them

been in touch this afternoon,got a bag full of bedding waiting to be collected,will also ask friends and neighbours

Would it be worth putting a similar thread on the Sheffield main forum?
Everyone has old blankets and bedding - not just the pet section people?

Can we bring this one up to the top again please

PLEASE THINK ABOUT HOW COLD AND WET IT IS OUTSIDE - OUR DOGS HAVE NO LOVE AND NO HOME. THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A WARM BLANKET.

My other half has driven miles to go and pick up a load of bedding for the dogs today because someone offered them some - but it won't last very long. We need to ensure they ALWAYS have some warm bedding for the dogs and cats.

Please call in at your local charity shop and see if there is any that they can spare. Maybe ask your shops if they would keep some on one side and we could start a regular collection of the blankets that aren't suitable to be sold - we could even raise cash and buy some off them if they have enough.

PLEASE - look at your own nice warm pet - and spare a thought for those that have nobody and nothing.

i contacted animal control team on the 6th of this month,am still waiting for someone to collect,the bedding is in my garage,contacted them again yesterday,hopefully someone will collect on thursday but so far no one has been in touch to confirm

Animal Control team don't collect bedding - they are always terribly busy picking dogs up around the city.

Maybe if you put an appeal up on the forum and ask if someone could take it down for you - people are always in and out of the city.

thanks for collecting it

johnty - where abouts are you?? I may have lots to take to them soon so could take yours too.

they have been in touch just after i posted,will pm you with address,best the bedding be with them than in my garage,no problem keeping it here at all,but if the animals needs them,then its better collected,i am in grenoside

Just to be a bit contraversial here, but why don't the Council supply this? We pay enough for our Council Taxes, Environmental Services are a thriving department, people who want to buy a dog pay a fee, so why can't this department source and pay for the bedding themselves? There are plenty of charity shops around who I'm sure would welcome a small donation from the Council for sheets and duvets which come to them from the public.

If it was a self financed kennel organisation then I'd support the idea of proving your own spare bedding, but this is a Council organisation who are funded to provide this service.

Have popped this on Wanted site, and also apparently I had a letter published in The Star asking for donations. x

Just to be a bit contraversial here, but why don't the Council supply this? We pay enough for our Council Taxes, Environmental Services are a thriving department, people who want to buy a dog pay a fee, so why can't this department source and pay for the bedding themselves? There are plenty of charity shops around who I'm sure would welcome a small donation from the Council for sheets and duvets which come to them from the public.

If it was a self financed kennel organisation then I'd support the idea of proving your own spare bedding, but this is a Council organisation who are funded to provide this service.

Whilst I know where you're coming from, don't forget it's not the council that actually need the blankets, it is the dogs. And the dogs don't get a say in finance and expenditure! :(

I have some papers, blankets and old towels, just cant get them down to the pound at the moment, if anyone can help by picking them up it would be much appreciated. I am in Killamarsh

What times can stuff be dropped off to the pound? We have a car next week but haddock is working his usual office hours and I don't drive. We'll help if we can:)

I have some papers, blankets and old towels, just cant get them down to the pound at the moment, if anyone can help by picking them up it would be much appreciated. I am in Killamarsh

Hi estweyn. Just sent you a pm. We're in Waterthorpe so could pick them up from you and take them down. :)

If you're coming past here at all Estewyn, you can drop off here
*BuBu beat me to it!*

Thanks everyone for thinking about the dogs here

Classic - I am behind you 100% and it needs more people to actually write to Environmental Services and actually ask that question.

Ensure that the dogs of our city are well looked after - ask - enquire - make sure you know - because as with everything in local and central government - the services that people don't care about - get ignored or overlooked, or slipped by.

We HAVE to make our MP's and our Council know that we do care about these stray dogs and their treatment - thats the only way that the people who are actually working with the dogs will get any support or financial backing.

Otherwise - its something to be swept away - because nobody cares.
They do try their best with what is available l- we need to be bothered enough - to make sure its 100% and something to be proud of - not ashamed of.

So - thanks for being concerned enough to improve things for them.

Whilst I know where you're coming from, don't forget it's not the council that actually need the blankets, it is the dogs. And the dogs don't get a say in finance and expenditure! :(

So if the Council needs then, why not buy them in from Charity shops? Their unit must be self financing if they charge people to collect their dogs and also to adopt them. There are volunteer dog walkers around so staff aren't hired to walk them. The only other expenditure they have is water to clean out the dogs and their food!

My objection stands, unless anyone else can come up with a good reason why the public should provide this? Do the Council provide me with anything for free? No. There are enough grants being given out to community groups, voluntary sector groups, etc, I cannot see why they cannot donate to a local charity to provide this bedding.

The good people of Sheffield should provide bedding for places like RSPCA and Rain Rescue who don't have this extra money coming in from tax payers.

CR, your objection is quite understandable.

My concern is however, that animals suffer whilst people argue over whose responsibility it is.

Now, taking this up with the council is a great idea as everything you say is sensible, but if everyone simply refused to give any blankets, it would be the dogs, not the Lord Mayor, that would lose out.

I am going to write to the council to put forward your great points and it would be great if more people did. All I'm saying is that simply refusing aid without providing a reason is not necessarily productive.

Thanks Strix, its carrying them thats the problem, Bu Bu has pmd me but if I have anymore I will call you

If you've got somebody at your end to load the car, I'm happy to unload this end - next time :thumbsup:

Thanks to Bu Bu for picking up the blankets etc last night, hopeful that some doggies will be a bit warmer...

iv got two dog coats suitable for medium sized dogs (they are dalmatians) if some one can collect?

I went on a Charity Shop trawl today looking for some more sleeping bags/blankets. Got 2 great big bin bags from St. Lukes Charity shop at Crookes and the lady there said she would save some more for us, anything that wasn't nice enough for them to sell. I took them down to the pound along with a suitcase of duvets. Met a lovely chap who had dug out a load of towels and taken them down too.

Then went off to Hillsborough to the ones around there. Most said they didn't get many in any more and said it could be because most of this sort of stuff goes to the 'rag man'.

Got me thinking - I wonder if we could find out a local rag man and see if we could get some from there? Anybody have any contacts? We could always buy some if they were cheap enough.

iv got two dog coats suitable for medium sized dogs (they are dalmatians) if some one can collect?Brill :)
whereabouts are you?

Brill :)
whereabouts are you?

im in hillsborough, pm me for address, thanks

bother - that's completely the other side of town from me :(

bother - that's completely the other side of town from me :(

doh!!! they are like new as well,had them on my two but they hated them,so only worn once,waterproof ones too.any one near hillsborough to collect?
:help:

CR, your objection is quite understandable.

My concern is however, that animals suffer whilst people argue over whose responsibility it is.

Now, taking this up with the council is a great idea as everything you say is sensible, but if everyone simply refused to give any blankets, it would be the dogs, not the Lord Mayor, that would lose out.

I am going to write to the council to put forward your great points and it would be great if more people did. All I'm saying is that simply refusing aid without providing a reason is not necessarily productive.

Knowing the Council well, having worked for them for many years, if a resource does suddenly dry up, then they will be quick to find a solution to solve the problem. Continually providing the bedding means that the Council won't even be considering methods to source bedding themselves. The animals won't suffer, Environmental Services are quick to chastise anyone who doesnt fit in with their standards, the last thing they'll do is to let the animals suffer.

We have two huge boxes of papers again which will be going down tomorrow I believe.

Sadly Classic - you are wrong on this one.

When we first started working with these stray kennels there were dogs with no bedding. Have you ever looked at an old dog laid in a plastic bed with no bedding? The thing is - the people who have to put the dogs away in their kennels at night without bedding - are not the ones that can set up systems to ensure they always have bedding.

Those people do not have to look at the dogs every night - and say - 'goodnight - sorry its cold hard and just plastic' - and as everyone shows - if you don't personally see it - its very easy to ignore it and think it doesn't happen.

Bedding is not a requirement for anyone to conform to the Animal Welfare Act - its a luxury I believe. Therefore it does not have to be provided.

I can't sleep at nights if i don't think that at least the dogs in the kennels near to me are warm and dry. I know they don't have a home and a warm house - nor do they have someone to care or love or even ensure they are free from pain and will be there tomorrow - but at least for tonight - if they have bedding and a nice warm dry kennel - life isn't that bad. Its a lot better than many of them will have come from when you see the pityful states that some of them turn up in.

So, please don't anyone think that this is something that will get done - unless we the people who care - do something about it.

Knowing the Council well, having worked for them for many years, if a resource does suddenly dry up, then they will be quick to find a solution to solve the problem. Continually providing the bedding means that the Council won't even be considering methods to source bedding themselves. The animals won't suffer, Environmental Services are quick to chastise anyone who doesnt fit in with their standards, the last thing they'll do is to let the animals suffer.Now I understand where your confidence in having Jack returned to you promptly came from :thumbsup: *hint hint*

doh!!! they are like new as well,had them on my two but they hated them,so only worn once,waterproof ones too.any one near hillsborough to collect?
:help:

I'm passing through Hillsbro' tomorrow (Tues) around mid-day spotty dog. If you're around then I could pick them up. Dropping the other blankets and stuff in on way back so would be ideal if your're around or could leave them out to collect? PM me and let me know the details.

Jon

I will send an Email to my work collegues and see if anyone has any spare :thumbsup:

Sadly Classic - you are wrong on this one.

When we first started working with these stray kennels there were dogs with no bedding. Have you ever looked at an old dog laid in a plastic bed with no bedding? The thing is - the people who have to put the dogs away in their kennels at night without bedding - are not the ones that can set up systems to ensure they always have bedding.

Those people do not have to look at the dogs every night - and say - 'goodnight - sorry its cold hard and just plastic' - and as everyone shows - if you don't personally see it - its very easy to ignore it and think it doesn't happen.

Bedding is not a requirement for anyone to conform to the Animal Welfare Act - its a luxury I believe. Therefore it does not have to be provided.

I can't sleep at nights if i don't think that at least the dogs in the kennels near to me are warm and dry. I know they don't have a home and a warm house - nor do they have someone to care or love or even ensure they are free from pain and will be there tomorrow - but at least for tonight - if they have bedding and a nice warm dry kennel - life isn't that bad. Its a lot better than many of them will have come from when you see the pityful states that some of them turn up in.

So, please don't anyone think that this is something that will get done - unless we the people who care - do something about it.

Well thanks for clearing that one up. I honestly thought it was just another Council cost cutting policy. I suppose that in the wild, dogs don't have blankets and just make do with their warm coats. Bedding IS luxury and dogs can cope quite adequately without all the pampering we give them. In kennels they have security and safety which is enough.

Based on this, are we humans over pampering our pets by giving them all this bedding which in essence is unnatural for them?

If/when our dogs escape from home and wander the streets or end up as strays, are they less likely to cope if they've been pampered in this way?

(This is to stimulate healthy debate, I don't for a minute think dogs should sleep on a bare floor, but it makes you think...)

bubu...........your in box is full,im working tomorrow,what time will you be passing?i could leave them with my neighbour as the dogs will be in the back garden.i do finish at 2,but have to pick my daughter up from school at 2.45. thanks. if you clear your in box i can send you my address.

Just wondered if shredded paper is any good, I used to use it as bedding, its light, the dogs can snuggle down in it and it throws away when wet. It is a bit messy tho so perhaps they dont want it. If its any good get back to me cos I may well be able to secure a good supply.

Classic I can understand you wanting a good debate, but even in the wild animals will make some sort of bed for their selves using dead leaves and grass. Its not always a warmth thing, its poor old joints on hard surfaces, being a poor old thing with bad joints myself I can really sympathise with them.

I have published a response from the Council and it sounded sense to me. Vets say that new bedding must be found for each new arrival so - keeping politics aside - the dogs need bedding, try and find them bedding! I can collect from S10, S11, S7, S8, anywhere south west of Sheffield. x

(This is to stimulate healthy debate, I don't for a minute think dogs should sleep on a bare floor, but it makes you think...)

I'm glad you're not advocating bare concrete. Soil and grass, maybe, but concrete is unnaturally hard, and seeing abused dogs tethered in concrete yards with pressure sores etc soon shows the benefit of comfortable bedding.

Yes, our pampered animals have more padding than they NEED but they are lucky! Some aren't...

http://i36.tinypic.com/2hgekv8.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/25h27wm.jpg

(warning - not for the squeamish - but the dog in the photo is in the care of friends and 4 years on is still chronically poorly and completely blind due to previous scum "owners" neglect, but comfortable and above all, happy!)

Obviously the dogs in pound are not tethered and left uncared for, but concrete is not a naturally comfortable bed.

The shredded paper is sadly no use at kennels I'm afraid. Whilst it is lovely and warm - it is hard work to keep useable and will block the drains up.

Normal sheets of newspapers are always needed for the sick or for puppies.

Classic - I accept any form of debate - and can only put my own personal views forward - how I see things, and so nothing for or against a particular council kennels or not.

However, society will treat animals badly (they do to others - but i'm just focusing on the animals here). Our councils do not want to have to pick up abandoned pets - its a role that they have to provide. Its an extremely emotive issue and I personally spend many many hours worrying about those less fortunate than my own. So much so, that I try to make a little bit of difference for them.

Many of the animals that end up in council pounds throughout the country - do have a little bit of fat to keep them warm on cold nights. However, many of those have grown up all their life with a warm fire or central heating, nice food, peaceful surroundings and a routine they are used to. To be roaming the streets for hours, weeks, days or months - and then captured in a kennel along side other barking, stressed, agressive or scared other dogs - is very alien to them. To have a warm blanket to cuddle up into to remind them a little of home - must be slightly comforting for them.

For those that have had a rough life - maybe spent it living tied up in a garden to an old table or fence with no shelter - to have lived in a shed breeding puppies in a flea ridden, sh** covered and scabby bare box producing puppy after puppy whilst their own teats and skin are red raw - they know nothing else. Only that maybe now they are at least fed once a day. For them - they ask for very little - a blanket is a luxury they have never known.

For the staff at our kennels to have to know that these dogs are bursting at the seams, they have no kennels space left to push the next dumped dog into, maybe no funds to pay for the vet treatment it needs because people don't see or don't care, and finally to close the door on a little mite like Pumpkin that we took out the other week - bald and pink skinned - and without a blanket? That shouldn't be allowed to happen and I personally want to do all I can to make sure they have something - in the light of nothing.

Debate as you will - but I'm afraid actions are needed.

I must admit, when I was doing my trawl of various RSPCAs and kennels on the infamous search for Jack, I was saddened by the number of dogs with injuries on their joints. I asked about them and was told it was because they had been lying on concrete.

Is this a form of cruelty? If dogs aren't designed to lie on concrete and hence it's causing injury, then shouldn't the RSPCA be involved?

What actions are needed? A petition? Strongly worded emails/letters and if so, to who? Do we need a template letter which everyone can use?

I'm sure there are a lot of readers on here who are keen to see change, but where to start?

Usually stray kennels will provide the plastic beds for dogs to lay in - and Sheffield certainly do. In fact just last year we did a big appeal to buy some new ones and get some donated - because they were mostly chewed and damaged and dangerous. So, at least they aren't bad. The beds are raised off the floor - to prevent concrete strike also.
I don't think that laying without bedding is actually cruelty - but its heartbreaking to see for dogs that have little fat, skin or coat.

If things are to be done - and I believe if the public realised just how many dogs were being dumped and abandoned and unwanted - surely they may slow down with the breeding, or at least - promote better funding for the kennels to make sure the guys at the top in the council - allocate enough money - that the dogs always have money allocated for their needs. And that is EVERY council - not just ours - I just try to improve things locally - maybe then we can look broader.

It does need letters writing to all the local papers - informing them of the MASSIVE problem that all councils and kennels are facing at the moment. They are all in CRISIS - people are dumping big style at the moment - today I have personally been asked by 4 councils if i can help them before they are putting to sleep dogs tomorrow. To look at faces and know they are to have to be put to sleep purely because there isn't enough room in kennels or volunteers to help - is heartbreaking and I personally don't know how to help it stop.

Well thanks for clearing that one up. I honestly thought it was just another Council cost cutting policy. I suppose that in the wild, dogs don't have blankets and just make do with their warm coats. Bedding IS luxury and dogs can cope quite adequately without all the pampering we give them. In kennels they have security and safety which is enough.

Based on this, are we humans over pampering our pets by giving them all this bedding which in essence is unnatural for them?

If/when our dogs escape from home and wander the streets or end up as strays, are they less likely to cope if they've been pampered in this way?

(This is to stimulate healthy debate, I don't for a minute think dogs should sleep on a bare floor, but it makes you think...)We took Brude to a bonfire party where he made himself very comfortable in an overgrown flowerbed utilising the dip where the lawn ended and the long grass he'd trampled down. This was far more comfortable/warm/easier on the joints than having no choice other than to lay on concrete

Yes, dogs can make their own way in life, but they have no choices cooped up in a concrete pen with only a plastic basket to separate them from the cold hard floor

bubu...........your in box is full,im working tomorrow,what time will you be passing?i could leave them with my neighbour as the dogs will be in the back garden.i do finish at 2,but have to pick my daughter up from school at 2.45. thanks. if you clear your in box i can send you my address.

Spotty dog, in-box now cleared. Let me know your or your neighbours address and I'll pick them up from there. Cheers

Jon

I must admit, when I was doing my trawl of various RSPCAs and kennels on the infamous search for Jack, I was saddened by the number of dogs with injuries on their joints. I asked about them and was told it was because they had been lying on concrete.

Is this a form of cruelty? If dogs aren't designed to lie on concrete and hence it's causing injury, then shouldn't the RSPCA be involved?

What actions are needed? A petition? Strongly worded emails/letters and if so, to who? Do we need a template letter which everyone can use?

I'm sure there are a lot of readers on here who are keen to see change, but where to start?

I think we do need to tell our council that we are not satisfied with how our Sheffield dogs are treated. I for one would sign a petition or send a letter template with my sig and address expressing my disgust at how little provision there is for these dogs that through mainly no fault of their own they have been abandoned, dumped, abused or simply no longer wanted (i do realise that for some people they are unaware of any other options and hand dogs in without malice) and ended up in the pound.

More funding needs to be made available so bedding can be provided, more vet care for unwell dogs, a completely new environment as the pound is grotty, basic things that every animal care environment should be using like disinfectant. These are not luxuries they are a basic requirement and should be made available it is cruelty not to in my opinion.

Higher staffing levels are required as well as education for the city about how we should look after animals and why we should not keep breeding (i realise this is pie in the sky but it would be nice and preventative so future thinking).

basic things that every animal care environment should be using like disinfectant. These are not luxuries they are a basic requirement and should be made available it is cruelty not to in my opinion.A dog recently died from hepatitis in this area, which is passed on through urine. I'd be sickened to think my dog had wound up in the pound where basic disinfecting quite obviously does not take place in the outdoor pens. My dog isn't vermin, and I'd prefer that he wasn't treated as such

I think you can start online petitions, I'm sure I signed one once for something or other. www.petitiononline.com

Not sure how to word this, I don't really know enough about it and am bad at wording things otherwise I'd start the ball rolling.

so what are we petitioning for?

that the standards which councils rigorously apply to boarding kennels must also be applied to the council's own facilities? And that (who) regulates them, as it's the council who regulate the boarding kennels, but if allowed to regulate themselves as they do now, I really can't see any difference coming of it

Just about every single dog that we get out of the council kennels has terrible runs - often with blood in its faeces.

It always costs us a vet fee - plus drugs to be administered and it takes ages to clear up. Runs the risk of passing this onto other dogs in kennels and any foster home. I am sure its down to bad disinfecting and cleaning methods.

All dogs should be looked after to boarding kennel standards - regardless who is paying the bill.
Thanks Adz, Classic and Strix for looking into getting something started.

Unless people complain - Government and Councils do not have it as a top priority. Enough people complained about dog muck in parks - it is high on each councils agenda. Ok it doesn't get that much but it costs each council a lot to enforce. I am sure the stray kennels cost a fortune to run too - but its a service that is needed and we have to show 'wanted'.

I have a couple of bits (duvet, pillows, towels) I'd like to donate.

I live in S1 if there's anyone nearby I could drop them off to, or if someone can tell me where to go and what times it's open I'm happy to drop them down there myself!

Thanks

Aren't we complaining that the council are not treating the dogs in a humane manner i.e. the facilities are not acceptable or up to a suitable standard (there is no where for any of the dogs to have controlled exercise they move from an outdoor pen during the day to a tiny indoor pen at night, they go stir crazy and you can see this in the ones who have been there more than a few weeks. They are not suitably protected from the elements, it is incredibly cold in the winter hence Rain rescue and the general public spending hundreds to provide the COUNCIL pound with coats and bedding for the dogs/their dogs) and causing dogs to be unwell.

That dogs are not being suitably treated when unwell (when they arrive or during the duration of their stay) i.e. vet care is not always provided when it should be and non vetenary people are making decisions about how well a dog is when they should not be.

There systems of working are not effective and lead to people not being reunited with their animals, this would include the dog wardens as they come under the same department.

I think the council need to understand we are not against them they are an invaluable service we cannot do without we simply want to help and speak for the dogs who are unable to do this for themselves. Help as we have already done by the way through Rain more dogs are rehomed as we advertise for the pound, promote them through places like the Sheffield forum and encourage people to look after their pound i.e. donating items.

I am going to ask Mr Adz to help me put something together and i have some information from someone about how to start. I shall get back to you all.

That would be good Adz - we should be proud of the service - not ashamed.
Many pounds that we deal with - the dogs are taken straight to the vets for a check up - vets visit the kennels once a week to check over dogs that may be poorly whilst in Council care - and treatment that the staff are giving out - is monitored.
This should be paid for out of Council tax money - I as a rate payer do expect this type of service.
Also, if this was done - those pounds offer 6 weeks free insurance when rehoming any dog - which gives the public peace of mind that they aren't taking on a potential problem, and more dogs do get rehomed because of this care.

Thank goodness someone else is picking up on this one thank you

Re the bedding - Hillsborough Age Concern have said they have some duvets and a few blankets that can be collected - can anyone pick them up from them please?

I adopted my Alfie from the pound on thursday. He had bad kennel cough, He's becoming a bit more lively now im glad to say. But he' never lost his appetite even when he wasnt as lively. My Jack Russell was most displeased when i first took him home and would not let him come near us for a fuss, Things are different now , they play together and she only snaps on the rare occasion.

Alfie has such a great temperament he gets on ok with my 2 cats too.
I absolutely adore him.
Any extra advice on Kennel cough, your experiences etc.
Im going to vets monday with him, but hes a lot better now than when we got him.

Tara - which one was Alfie? is his pic still on our site?
thank you for looking to help out the dogs abandoned and up for rehoming at the kennels.

Re the kennel cough - sadly - its a horrible and distressing virus. This is just my views and experience of it, i am not a vet and it may not be the best medical advise.
However
Dogs that come out with kennel cough can be at varying stages. If its a dry racking back - like something stuck in the back of their throat - its at the early stage. Uncomfortable for them, and be careful when walking them on the lead as if they tugg into their collars - it will make it worse for them and could damage their throat. Try a harness to relieve the pressure.
Best treatment is gentle exercise (if any at all), tixy lix, or kiddy benolin - shouldn't need the vet at this stage. Fresh air, but still keep warm and no damp.

The are possibly contagious at this stage - which could be passed to other dogs via the people that you come into contact with - as well as directly to the dogs. Old, young or sick dogs are most vulnerable to kennel cough and in its worse form it could be fatal. However, very few fatalaties are caused by it.
Most normal healthy dogs - take it in their stride and very rarely catch it again - once they've had it.

If the dog is snotting - either clear white fluid or thick green fluid from throat or down nose - its at stage 2. Very contagious. Very uncomfortable for them. Worth taking to the vet who may prescribe something like Synulox - but as the virus is airborne as well as virul - it doesn't always cure it. Again - benolyn if sore throat. - Hardly any exercise.

If dog is really poorly - heaving in the breathing - snotting green discharge - and very unwell - possibly a high temprature above 39 - MUST be seen by the vet urgently and should be before it gets to this stage. This dog could be going down with bronchitus or pneumonia and can quickly go worse or die. Keep warm - and seek vet advise prior to getting this bad.

Your other dog may go down with kc - but if fit and healthy - should get over it pretty speedily. Keep them both away from public areas and meeting other dogs until they are totally free from snotting.

Alfie was in kennel 17 but was not one of those who had their picture took for your website. Hes 6 months old.
I questioned the kennel staff about Alfies condition as i didnt want my Millie to catch anything and at one point was going to change my mind about adopting him but i was told it was just like a human version of a cold or flu and not to be alarmed. I wasnt told about different stages. Ive never had to put any of my dogs in kennels before so thats why i didnt know too much about the condition.
Ive obviously done web searches since.
Alfie is quite healthy in other respects and he eats well, But from what you were saying it looks as though he might be in stage 2. So i hope the vet can fit me in tomorrow, if i explain its urgent. Millie has not contacted anything as yet, shes very fit and well.
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd12/parsonage25/FILE0017.jpg This is him.

I've been down to Spring Street this morning, and I think the council should be ashamed, if it was anywhere else i'm sure the RSPCA wouldn't allow the dogs to be kept in such conditions.

They have no electrcity, the first you find out about this is when your stood at the door 15 minutes because the bell isn't working, then have to ring the council phone number, they then ring the people inside and someone comes to let you in, apologetically bless them, they are out trying to keep the dogs looked after.

There's no lighting, no heating nothing today, everything is cold and wet, every dog I walked past had some cough or snotting all over.

I brought home a little girl, she's got kennel cough, and is exhausted and skinny, hopefully she'll come round in a few days.

I know where the true fault lies, don't get me wrong, but if the council are going to take in strays and unwanted animals, surely they have some duty of care whilst they are there?

my friend works down there and pens are disenfected everyday!

just out of curiosity - what with?

... or should the kennels be listed as a site of particular scientific interest - as they are growing disinfectant proof algae. It's obviously an expensive brand, as its also odourless :thumbsup:

Has that blocked drain been fixed yet?

just out of curiosity - what with?

... or should the kennels be listed as a site of particular scientific interest - as they are growing disinfectant proof algae. It's obviously an expensive brand, as its also odourless :thumbsup:

Has that blocked drain been fixed yet?

Absoloutly i would love to know what they use, if any!! The state of the concrete and the walls is a disgrace

After spending a sleepless night with my new arrival from there yesterday morning, I phoned around a few places to air my concerns.

I was told yesterday before agreeing to adopt that no dog sees a vet unless it requires something the kennel staff can't do themselves. I was told this dog didn't require any treatment, other than the bit of kennel cough it was fine and healthy.

Over the last 24hrs or so, she has started to sneeze up green mucus, so she's int he second stage of kennel cough now, she's lethargic, doesn't respond, glazed eyes, keep collapsing under her own weight, her poo is lquid with blood in.

She's not digesting the plain rice & fish as there is rice in her Diarreah (sorry for such detail but I think it's relevant.

Anyhow, I rang the PDSA first to get some advice, they say that no kennels should be letting animals go in this condition, let alone charging people.

The RSPCA (Sheffield) have said they are going to look into it, they also took 6 dogs from the Dog Warden when they opened, and none are fit to go up for adoption, they all have the runs/kennel cough etc.

I've taken her to my vet this morning, who can't believe they've not taken her to a vet, she has upper and lower respiratory problems, lots of bronchal/kennel cough, she also has a heart murmer, a growth/cyst inside her mouth and her teeth are making it difficult for her to eat they are in such bad condition.

On the little bit of paper the Wardens gave me they have marked her as having had a visual health check, that her physical condition is 'ok' (shes skin and bone, you an see every bone in her spine, can't hold herself up) Weight - 'ok'!...Mouth 'ok'.

Is this how Sheffield council think all animals are to be treat then?

I understand the dog wardens and kennel staff face an uphill struggle with hardly any funding or support, but I can't believe they are allowing dogs to be adopted out in this condition,

I have rang the dog warden to be told the manager willr ing me back, I will update this thread when I have any more news.

As for Rosie as we have named her, the vet doesn't hold much hope, so I have the joy of letting my 11yr old boy down gently.

Oh beans how awful for you, your family and little Rosie. Please keep in touch with the RSPCA and find out what they are doing and who they have spoken to, to make sure they are really looking into it.

This is cruelty and something that should not be happening in kennels, the trouble is the pound just keep getting away with it.

I really hope she makes it, she deserves the chance of a loving home and if she doesn't then she will have at least had some comfort and peace which i know is no comfort but it is still nicer than a horrible cold concrete pen.

yes at least she is getting some warmth, I imagine all the dog warden will say is ' bring her back and swap her for another one' - but where does that leave her?

If they coulnd't be bothered to get her checked over properly previously, are they going to bother when she's been adopted and brought back once, or are they going to do the economical thing and just put her to sleep?

yes at least she is getting some warmth, I imagine all the dog warden will say is ' bring her back and swap her for another one' - but where does that leave her?

If they coulnd't be bothered to get her checked over properly previously, are they going to bother when she's been adopted and brought back once, or are they going to do the economical thing and just put her to sleep?

I couldn't say, although i do know of dogs they have treated properly for KC using anitbiotics etc. and housing them inside in the warm and dry until they are better.
I do however know there is a big sign stating that they will not pay for any vets bills incurred by the dogs when they are adopted, in this case though i find it disgraceful that you were told you were taking a healthy dog and within a day she is very obviously not healthy or at all well :rant:

OMG this is terrible poor Rosie.
Alfie cant be seen till tomorrow afternoon by my vet. Ive looked at the council papers we were given and it says hes been given a temp innoculation.
. According to this medical check it says ok for everything, eyes ,ears, skin, mouth, etc
But this was done on the 10th, when he was first taken in the pound.
When i got him his ribs were showing and he was snotting, coughing, and eyes running.
so this must have happened while in council care.
It says hes one on the cert but the kennel staff said he was 6 month. Dont suppose it matters but i dont want him to end up with 3 loads of innoc at just 6 month.
Did they tell you how long Rosie had been in.?

Although Alfie is loads better im a bit worried about his breathing .
So il see what the vet says tomorrow.

We are all hoping Rosie will pull through.

Well I just had a very interesting conversation with the manager of the warden team.

Basicaly in his words 'he's not a dog person' and 'he doesn't get down to that end of things very often'.

He's stating that he doubts that the kennel staff would have let a dog be adopted that kept collapsing and had blood in its poo (I think he's basically calling me a liar) and that he saw the dog Friday and it was fit and well (note he started our conversation saying he hasn't been down there for ages and doesn't have much to do with the actual dogs).

He went on to say he had just found a note for this particular dog that says she had been picked up from a vets (this is new, as I was told from her records yesterday she was picked up on a road in Woodseats - the girl even told me the road name but I forget it now) - and that the vet it was picked up from didn't notice anything wrong with it.

He kept waffling on about how many dogs they have to deal with and that they can't concentrate on particular cases, that I couldn't expect the kennel staff to know the dog had a heart murmer (I didn't expect that, but it would have been noticable that she couldn't walk more than a few steps without falling over, had blood in her poo, kept being sick, couldn't feed herself).

To cut a long story short, he was just interested in deflecting any responsibility or duty of care, which didn't suprise me in the least considering the state of the Department and the mans attitude towards the dogs in general.

I never asked him for anything, haven't mentioned any vets fees i'm paying or anything about returning her by the way, I just wanted to state that all I did was tell him facts, all he could offer in return was a half-hearted apology, after telling me he doubts what i've said.

He finished with the lovely line ' we could just have them all put to sleep instead you know' - sums it up nicely I think.

I know people are trying to get support for this place, but I can't help feeling we should be telling people to boycott it, until something is done about the conditions, from the top down.

Also apparently they have no electricy today either.

He finished with the lovely line ' we could just have them all put to sleep instead you know' - sums it up nicely I think.

I know people are trying to get support for this place, but I can't help feeling we should be telling people to boycott it, until something is done about the conditions, from the top down.

Also apparently they have no electricy today either.

that's interesting, I've had a similar random comment from one of the men in the office. I'm not keen on emotional blackmail from a service I'm paying for via my council tax

Please make sure you pass ALL of your experiences wrt this case to the RSPCA Beans

Did your vet say how contagious your new dog's problems are, and did the man on the phone tell you what they are doing to control the situation?

The Kennel Cough is very contagious, the man on the phone was in a shroud of denial about anything.

Basically to sum up, as far as he is concerned it's my word against his.

He says ' how were my staff to know the dog was ill?'

then
' You should have known the dog was unwell before you chose her'

:suspect:

I ended the call telling him I will be continuing on alongside the RSPCA in this case, due to them also having six dogs from his kennels recently who are all too Ill to be adopted out.

I mean, we sit and tell people not to go to back-yard-breeders, Puppy farming is awful, but then we collect blankets (for the dogs I know) and try to help this council department, which in turn makes them not bother.

I'm just glad I have a bar of galaxy.

I have just taken 3 dogs out this week
All have blood in their stools - one is very poorly, and has had blood gushing from his backside. As did 2 staffy's I got out last week.

I had to have a vet call out yesterday for all 3 - and 1 of them which I got weeks ago, which still has blood in its stool because we can't clear up what ever it is.

All are on anti-biotics - and 2 on injections. Let alone how poorly and horrible this is for the dogs concerned, Rain Rescue vet bills will be huge, and because they are poorly - I can't adopt them out, or let people see them - running up our boarding bills and vet bills.

I believe all stray dogs should be seen, AND TREATED by a vet with a vet on call if need be as Cliff Kennels managed to do when they had the stray kennel contract. They have a check over, and they come out with 6 weeks FREE insurance. If the new owner takes out the insurance after that period - the stray kennels receives back a percentage of the premium - which goes towards funds. Obviously Cliffe found they could manage to afford this - but SCC don't offer this facility - or don't get their dogs checked over by a vet. I am concerned as to what qualifications the person has who is so well informed to say what dog is sick and what isn't. I thought only a vet could diagnose this?

It is possible to run council stray kennels well. We deal with others that would be annoyed, disgusted and shocked if they visited some. ALL stray kennels should conform to The New Animal Welfare Act. It is about time things were done to improve conditions in Sheffield. I will watch this individual complaint closely.

Here's a photo of Rosie when I brought her home yesterday

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/jmb123/?action=view&current=DSCF4904.jpg

She's actually a blue/silver colour as we found out after having a nice bath, i've tried to clean her face up a little but it's very difficult without upsetting her as she's coughing and snotting everywhere :(

Awww. What a precious little girl. I really hope she pulls through and this horrible issue gets resolved.

I have often woundered how any one could dump a dog on the street, an thought the council pound would be quite basic but a much better place. After reading this thread i think it would be better on the street. Something really needs to be done about the appalling conditions it must be wrong leaving animals to suffer. Did anyone find out about a patition. I really hope your little dog get's better.

Well I just had a very interesting conversation with the manager of the warden team....

Basicaly in his words 'he's not a dog person' and 'he doesn't get down to that end of things very often'.

He finished with the lovely line ' we could just have them all put to sleep instead you know' - sums it up nicely I think.



I can't possibly put into words the contempt I have for that fat.......... waste of space. If I were to type what I am thinking, I would be banned for sure and the thread would be closed. How he is still in a job, THAT job, I do not know.

Adz, have you managed to do anything yet with the information I sent you?

Having read through this thread I am concered about the welfare of these dogs as I'm sure everyone is. I was in the process of producing the next poster to be circulated however I find myself with a dilema. Do I really want to promote dogs that are unhealthy and kept in what from some of the accounts on here seem to be poor conditions??? On the other hand of course I woiuld not want to see any animal suffer so it would be nice to find them all homes. But as we all know as one space empties it is soon filled again with yet another stray. Having not been to the pound myself I can only go on the word of others about the dogs condition but I'm not sure if I should be producing a rehoming poster for potentially expensive poorly dogs???? What do others watching this thrread think..... is producing a poster to hep rehome these dogs simply fuelling the councils bad practice and if so is there something a lot more positive I could be doing with my time to help these dogs out????

Help... your opinions please.

You could ring and make an apt to go down and have a look around, if you have a spare five minutes, then you'd know how you personally felt about it, I think that is what I'd do if I had the time.

There are notices on the door before you enter reminding people that any vets fees incurred after you have adopted a dog are your own responsibility, personally I feel like going down and adding to it that the dog you take out will probably require veterinary treatment as they all have kennel cough at the least (as stated a number of times by the girl who dealt with me - indeed she was unwell herself).

Oh poor little Rosie, she is a cutie and I really hope she pulls through all of this for you BFY. After reading these posts about the state of the council Pound and the poor dogs in it I am absolutely disgusted with the supposed 'human' in charge of it. I suggest he spend a week inside one of the kennels himself!!!!!! :rant::rant::rant:

My main concern at the moment is the blood in the feces

There has been an account on this group of a dog who recently died from Hepatitis, which is transmitted in urine and feces, so I'd like to know what the council pound are doing to limit contamination

They say they disinfect, but what with? Is it some random pine stuff usually shoved round council building floors, or is it a DEFRA approved product which kills parvo and hepatitis?

Well I went at 10am on Monday, and there was no sign of any disinfectant, I know the difference because when I worked there voluntary (when it was the RSPCA) the place used to stink of disinfectant, and the milky residue would be in the drains.

There were plenty of people milling around working though, but what they have to work with, I know not.

HI All

I am working on the ipetition and a letter to my MP Clive Betts. I will also be emailing the letter sent to Clive Betts to 2 managers responsible for environmental services at the sheffield Council.

I shall add the link the Ipetition when it is completed and either post or email copies of the letter template for people to use if they wish.

I think we need to do things like contact the star and radio Sheffield as mentioned earlier in the thread. Also people who are not happy about the pound or have concerns can should report to the RSPCA or even Defra. This would be in relation to whether the animal welfare act is being complied with and what action they advise should we have concerns about the practice of the council - i do not know alot about this although have been looking through it.

We need to shout loudly if we want to be heard and the more people who express that they are not happy the more likely something is to be done.

If anyone has any more suggestions for practical things we could do please speak up.

Thanks

when's a good time to call you Adz?

Are you free for a chat about this sometime this week?

ADZ - once again - thank you for actually doing something. We at Rain Rescue have also complained about the lack of veterinary treatment of dogs that we have taken out of the kennels which I would bet 100% that they had never seen a vet - and which we had to take to emergency vet treatment.

Please remember though that this is an open forum. Members of the council will be reading anything posted on here. Thats not a problem - as long as anyone who is concerned and who does want to improve things - actually does something about it. There are ways to find out statistics/procedures/policies. However, as I keep saying over and over again. If you are not happy about anything that you see to do with the strays of your City - you have to voice those concerns to the Council.

Mark Parry is the manager in charge of Environmental Services. He never answers our letters - but then who are we but a small group who are desperately trying to raise funds to help just a few dogs, but if enough questions are raised by the Sheffield public - I would think they may realise that people do care.

Personally I think they should all see a vet within at least 1 day of being in council care. They need to be held for 7 days - at least on pain relief to be comfortable and free from pain if so recommended by a vet - until their 7 days are up.

At the end of the 7 days - by law, the council can do with them what they wish.
The options are:-
a) To destroy after 7 days (as some Yorkshire pounds do).
b) To sell to the public - whatever dog to whatever home - without neutering
c) To pass onto another rescue if one can be found to take them

Sheffield do not like to put dogs to sleep which is brilliant. But they need to get and follow proper veterinary advise for the dogs - and if there are no funds to treat sick dogs - they should ask the RSPCA or other rescues if they can help with any fund raising to pay for ones that are treatable.

Where a VET recommends a dog is too sick, agressive or injured that it needs to be destroyed - or if funds really cannot be raised to treat such a pet and nobody comes forward to pay for the treatment - the dog should be HUMANELY DESTROYED BY A VET or an experienced and trained RSPCA Officer and not Council employees.

I am sure that the Sheffield RSPCA have said before that they will happily work with the Council with the dogs from the City. Does anyone know if this is being taken up?

From speaking to the RSPCA yesterday they had agreed on opening the new centre to take 6 dogs from the Spring Street kennels to put up for adoption.

Sadly all six are too ill to be put up for adoption.

so are they still with the council or with the RSPCA?

As far as I know they are still with the RSPCA.

Mark Parry is the manager in charge of Environmental Services. He never answers our letters - but then who are we but a small group who are desperately trying to raise funds to help just a few dogs, but if enough questions are raised by the Sheffield public - I would think they may realise that people do care.



Adz has the names of the people above Mark Parry. :thumbsup:

HI All

I am working on the ipetition and a letter to my MP Clive Betts. I will also be emailing the letter sent to Clive Betts to 2 managers responsible for environmental services at the sheffield Council.



Good move Adz. Clive Betts has always spoken up for and supported animal welfare concerns previously and has supported many EDM's (Early Day Motions) in the House concerning the subject.

If you get Clive onboard, when he says 'jump' the council will say 'how high..?'