Here are some the of the achievements for the calendar year 2010:
46 dogs rescued
38 dogs rehomed
50th dog rehomed during the year since we started in 2009
2nd charity shop opened
£114,067.58 raised from all sources
Friday, 31 December 2010
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Plans for 2011
Our short term plans for 2011 currently include:
- introducing a Dog Sponsorship scheme
- moving towards an e-newsletter
- increasing the availability of kennel space so that we can take in more dogs
- opening a third charity shop
- reorganising our welfare systems and processes
No doubt more will come as time goes by, but I am certainly looking forward to the Christmas break.
2010, a year of learning
This has been an interesting, challenging, exciting, stressful, rewarding and sad year. All rolled into one. The theme for me personally is one of learning. The major event for me was without question the preparation of the day to day accounts and the submission of the accounts to the period ending 31 March 2010 to an accountant. This was an extremely nervous time, not because of the accountant - Tim Pearce was simply wonderful and very reassuring, but I had that sense of the unknown, a dread that I must have made a mistake somewhere. As it happened the only thing I think I missed was a trial balance but Tim told me what was required and I quickly added this and have used it ever since.
As the year draws to an end it is useful to reflect on what has gone well and what has not. You hope the former comfortably outweighs the latter but you have to be honest with yourself if you are ever going to learn, progress and excel.
Our Kidderminster charity shop continued to be a little powerhouse of funding for our charitable activities, and its success led us to Stourbridge. Unfortunately it has not been the success I envisaged, though it remains marginally profitable its income is too low to be able to plan for its income.
Our Neutering scheme in the community was launched in the spring and was quickly successful, and a little too popular. We quickly had to scale it back to the point that at one point it was suspended. It is a useful scheme to remain in place and we appreciate that Charnock Shepherd have helped us administrate this scheme.
There is much more to pour through over the coming days as we make formal plans for 2011.
As the year draws to an end it is useful to reflect on what has gone well and what has not. You hope the former comfortably outweighs the latter but you have to be honest with yourself if you are ever going to learn, progress and excel.
Our Kidderminster charity shop continued to be a little powerhouse of funding for our charitable activities, and its success led us to Stourbridge. Unfortunately it has not been the success I envisaged, though it remains marginally profitable its income is too low to be able to plan for its income.
Our Neutering scheme in the community was launched in the spring and was quickly successful, and a little too popular. We quickly had to scale it back to the point that at one point it was suspended. It is a useful scheme to remain in place and we appreciate that Charnock Shepherd have helped us administrate this scheme.
There is much more to pour through over the coming days as we make formal plans for 2011.
The Calendars have arrived!
Two full weeks after they went into production with the printers the calendars have finally arrived. They look great and now Mark and the volunteers are working as fast as they can to get them all enveloped and posted by the First Class post deadline.
Of course it was not our intention for it be this way. We fully expected to have them by 13 Dec so that we could send them second class. But problems in design delayed this process and then when the final design was signed off on 6 Dec it was only then that we found that we may have to wait until 16 or 17 Dec for delivery. That was still within the deadline of Second Class post but the weather would hamper that.
Then on Friday, when they had not arrived it seemed they were still on their way to us and would be with us by 21 Dec. And they were, in the nick of time. We have discovered a lot from this. Not least that we will produce our calendar much earlier in the year than this - and not rely on a company advertising that they would be with us 5-7 days. We will also not sell any of them on order without stock in hand. This had led many people to rightly question where their calendar is.
Now we hope Royal Mail can do their bit and delivery everything First Class by 24 Dec.
Of course it was not our intention for it be this way. We fully expected to have them by 13 Dec so that we could send them second class. But problems in design delayed this process and then when the final design was signed off on 6 Dec it was only then that we found that we may have to wait until 16 or 17 Dec for delivery. That was still within the deadline of Second Class post but the weather would hamper that.
Then on Friday, when they had not arrived it seemed they were still on their way to us and would be with us by 21 Dec. And they were, in the nick of time. We have discovered a lot from this. Not least that we will produce our calendar much earlier in the year than this - and not rely on a company advertising that they would be with us 5-7 days. We will also not sell any of them on order without stock in hand. This had led many people to rightly question where their calendar is.
Now we hope Royal Mail can do their bit and delivery everything First Class by 24 Dec.
Monday, 20 December 2010
Ever felt a little scammed?
Hmmm. I hope this isn't the case, but I feel we are being taken up the garden path a little with a company from which we have procured some items. I will come back to this in another post, but having parted with several hundreds pounds and been promised several things that keep getting changed I only hope tomorrow proves that they honour their word. If not, I fear they will blame the weather and we will then be left to the uncertainty of when.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Comments activated
I had only just realised that Comments on this blog were disabled. This has now been rectified. All comments are subject to moderation for obvious reasons, and any comment posters will be required to complete the word verification which prevents spam comments. Thanks.
Monday, 13 December 2010
Innuendo and muck spreading is hardly charitable
Innuendo and muck spreading isn't charitable, and yet the insinuation is there, from another local dog rescue charity that people ought to beware of Happy Staffie Rescue.
Their website proudly states:
"As a registered charity we are governed by the Charity Commission, be aware that other rescues may not have charity status or may be registered as a company. You can be sure that 100% of the money you give us goes to helping the dogs."
So why has this got my gander up?
Happy Staffie Rescue after all is a registered charity, gaining charitable status from the Commission in November 2009.
The problem (for them) is our legal framework, the basis around which we legally operate is as a company. However we are not Tesco, BP or Ford. They are companies limited by share capital. We are what is known as a company limited by guarantee (no share capital).
When starting a charity you have to decide what legal framework to use and there are generally three available a) an unincorporated association b) a company limited by guarantee or c) a trust.
A trust is only available to certain organisations. But an unincorporated association or a company limited by guarantee are based on the choices the trustees make and how they see their charity operating.
For example, an unincorporated association generally is useful to smaller charities, particularly those based around a local community issue. Village clubs, affiliates of larger charities and sports clubs are often set up on this basis. There are limitations to what an unincorporated association can undertake, which are not present in a company limited by guarantee. We decided on the latter principally in case we intended to enter into the contracts for services - for example leases on buildings, kennels, insurance, etc. This proved to be the case. This framework also provides a legal identity for the charity, and enables access to more services as time goes by.
So are we alone in this?
Certainly many major charities are registered as a company limited by guarantee. Save the Children Fund is a clear example. And they come in all shapes and sizes - take these three dog-related charities - The Blue Cross, Support Dogs and West Yorkshire Dog Rescue. All three are registered charities, and all three have a legal framework of a company limited by guarantee, just like us.
So let us look at their words again.
"As a registered charity we are governed by the Charity Commission,"
No surprise there. All registered charities in England and Wales are regulated by the Charity Commission regardless of their legal framework. Whether they are an association, a company limited by guarantee or a trust they are all regulated by the Commission.
But, in addition to the Charity Commission we are also regulated by Companies House. This means that not only do we have to comply by the regulations of the Charity Commission we must also comply with the rules and regulations of the Companies Act. This means our accounts are overseen by both government agencies.
And, we have charitable status from HM Revenue & Customs, granted 13 November 2009. This is no mean feat. The application is not straightforward - it isn't simply that you are a charity. You must show them through evidence and accounts that you are charitable. Therefore not only have our accounts been scrutinised by the Charity Commission and Companies House but also HM Revenue & Customs.
Three government agencies watching what you do, ensuring you do the right thing. Our 'friendly' fellow dog rescue is as far as I can see only regulated by the Commission.
Then there is this curious statement:
"... be aware that other rescues may not have charity status or may be registered as a company."
Now there is a real legitimate concern to bogus callers, the sort of people who drop endless clothes bags through your letterbox and in the finest small print you find some charity is getting 5p for every £1 raised. But of course their statement is far too vague to be pinpointed on those charities. It is no coincidence that their statement first appeared as we came together in summer 2009.
In the beginning we had to registered first as a company, then raise £5,000 then apply to the Charity Commission. So their little jibe fitted nicely against us as at one time we were not a registered charity but were a registered company (23 June 2009 to 12 November 2009). This is followed by the final statement:
"You can be sure that 100% of the money you give us goes to helping the dogs."
Following on from the first lines the suggestion is that even as a charity, if your legal framework is a company there may be a doubt as to whether 100% of the money goes to helping the dogs.
It could be that they are trying to suggest that as a company money must be going to shareholdings - but as our legal framework states we are not a company limited by share capital but a company limited guarantee (no share capital). There can be no dividend issued. There are no owners. The directors are the trustees and cannot be paid in any form other than their reasonably incurred expenses - for which no director/trustee has received a single penny from the charity. This is not our choice - it is law. Period.
And finally, as a company limited by guarantee we have to provide complex accounts with a profit and loss statement and balance sheet. We are subject to what is called an Independent Examination, and next year expect it that we shall be subject to an Audit if our income and expenditure reach the required levels.
Therefore in summary, contrary to what is muttered:
We are a Registered Charity
We have gained Charitable Status from HM Revenue & Customs
We have been granted 100% charitable relief against Business Rates
Our accounts and annual report have been submitted to the Charity Commission.
Our accounts and annual return have been submitted to Companies House
Our accounts and annual report have been submitted to HM Revenue & Customs
Our accounts have been scrutinised and given the all clear by an Independant Examination by an accountant.
There can be no doubt about the validity of our charitable status, the aims and purposes of our organisation or the appropriation of funds.
At a time when we have themed our latest newsletter around Transparency and Openness it is a shame others can not be the same.
Their website proudly states:
"As a registered charity we are governed by the Charity Commission, be aware that other rescues may not have charity status or may be registered as a company. You can be sure that 100% of the money you give us goes to helping the dogs."
So why has this got my gander up?
Happy Staffie Rescue after all is a registered charity, gaining charitable status from the Commission in November 2009.
The problem (for them) is our legal framework, the basis around which we legally operate is as a company. However we are not Tesco, BP or Ford. They are companies limited by share capital. We are what is known as a company limited by guarantee (no share capital).
When starting a charity you have to decide what legal framework to use and there are generally three available a) an unincorporated association b) a company limited by guarantee or c) a trust.
A trust is only available to certain organisations. But an unincorporated association or a company limited by guarantee are based on the choices the trustees make and how they see their charity operating.
For example, an unincorporated association generally is useful to smaller charities, particularly those based around a local community issue. Village clubs, affiliates of larger charities and sports clubs are often set up on this basis. There are limitations to what an unincorporated association can undertake, which are not present in a company limited by guarantee. We decided on the latter principally in case we intended to enter into the contracts for services - for example leases on buildings, kennels, insurance, etc. This proved to be the case. This framework also provides a legal identity for the charity, and enables access to more services as time goes by.
So are we alone in this?
Certainly many major charities are registered as a company limited by guarantee. Save the Children Fund is a clear example. And they come in all shapes and sizes - take these three dog-related charities - The Blue Cross, Support Dogs and West Yorkshire Dog Rescue. All three are registered charities, and all three have a legal framework of a company limited by guarantee, just like us.
So let us look at their words again.
"As a registered charity we are governed by the Charity Commission,"
No surprise there. All registered charities in England and Wales are regulated by the Charity Commission regardless of their legal framework. Whether they are an association, a company limited by guarantee or a trust they are all regulated by the Commission.
But, in addition to the Charity Commission we are also regulated by Companies House. This means that not only do we have to comply by the regulations of the Charity Commission we must also comply with the rules and regulations of the Companies Act. This means our accounts are overseen by both government agencies.
And, we have charitable status from HM Revenue & Customs, granted 13 November 2009. This is no mean feat. The application is not straightforward - it isn't simply that you are a charity. You must show them through evidence and accounts that you are charitable. Therefore not only have our accounts been scrutinised by the Charity Commission and Companies House but also HM Revenue & Customs.
Three government agencies watching what you do, ensuring you do the right thing. Our 'friendly' fellow dog rescue is as far as I can see only regulated by the Commission.
Then there is this curious statement:
"... be aware that other rescues may not have charity status or may be registered as a company."
Now there is a real legitimate concern to bogus callers, the sort of people who drop endless clothes bags through your letterbox and in the finest small print you find some charity is getting 5p for every £1 raised. But of course their statement is far too vague to be pinpointed on those charities. It is no coincidence that their statement first appeared as we came together in summer 2009.
In the beginning we had to registered first as a company, then raise £5,000 then apply to the Charity Commission. So their little jibe fitted nicely against us as at one time we were not a registered charity but were a registered company (23 June 2009 to 12 November 2009). This is followed by the final statement:
"You can be sure that 100% of the money you give us goes to helping the dogs."
Following on from the first lines the suggestion is that even as a charity, if your legal framework is a company there may be a doubt as to whether 100% of the money goes to helping the dogs.
It could be that they are trying to suggest that as a company money must be going to shareholdings - but as our legal framework states we are not a company limited by share capital but a company limited guarantee (no share capital). There can be no dividend issued. There are no owners. The directors are the trustees and cannot be paid in any form other than their reasonably incurred expenses - for which no director/trustee has received a single penny from the charity. This is not our choice - it is law. Period.
And finally, as a company limited by guarantee we have to provide complex accounts with a profit and loss statement and balance sheet. We are subject to what is called an Independent Examination, and next year expect it that we shall be subject to an Audit if our income and expenditure reach the required levels.
Therefore in summary, contrary to what is muttered:
We are a Registered Charity
We have gained Charitable Status from HM Revenue & Customs
We have been granted 100% charitable relief against Business Rates
Our accounts and annual report have been submitted to the Charity Commission.
Our accounts and annual return have been submitted to Companies House
Our accounts and annual report have been submitted to HM Revenue & Customs
Our accounts have been scrutinised and given the all clear by an Independant Examination by an accountant.
There can be no doubt about the validity of our charitable status, the aims and purposes of our organisation or the appropriation of funds.
At a time when we have themed our latest newsletter around Transparency and Openness it is a shame others can not be the same.
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Red on his way to a new life
Red, who only came into kennels last week has already secured his loving new home.
Red 2 years of age, was the 58th dog to come into the care of Happy Staffie Rescue and has now become the 52nd rehomed. He needs to be neutered first, but hopefully in just a few days he will begin his new life.
Red 2 years of age, was the 58th dog to come into the care of Happy Staffie Rescue and has now become the 52nd rehomed. He needs to be neutered first, but hopefully in just a few days he will begin his new life.
Friday, 10 December 2010
Supporters Club goes electronic (well shortly)
The current Supporters Club has two drawbacks. First of all it is very labour intensive and believe it or not can be quite stressful to put together is as short a space as time as possible. Secondly it is relatively expensive because of the printing costs associated with low volume printing. For example the latest edition of the newsletter is expected to cost around £1.40 to produce.
An electronic alternative was expected to be trialled with this third edition of the newsletter, but as the third edition took shape it became a 28-page marathon. When compressed in a PDF file it had a 33MB size. Far too great to be sent by e-mail.
Therefore, without the software, expertise or perhaps the time to find a way of condensing the size to a more manageable 2MB file we may give supporters the option of a smaller monthly newsletter as an alternative to the bi-annual printed version.
The one advantage of the monthly e-mail edition is that it will be up to date with that months news and articles. Another is that it will a smaller, easier to read snapshot rather than one long read. Finally for the charity it will cost zero to produce and distribute as it is written by volunteers.
We have to make the decision in early 2011 on how to move this forward but we have a couple of members of the Supporters Club who have expressed an interest in taking part in a trial. Their views will enable us to determine how useful and interesting the smaller newsletter is.
If anyone has any views regarding this, or want to take part in the trial (you must be a member of the Supporters Club) please feel free to contact me at
jonathan@happystaffierescue.org.uk
An electronic alternative was expected to be trialled with this third edition of the newsletter, but as the third edition took shape it became a 28-page marathon. When compressed in a PDF file it had a 33MB size. Far too great to be sent by e-mail.
Therefore, without the software, expertise or perhaps the time to find a way of condensing the size to a more manageable 2MB file we may give supporters the option of a smaller monthly newsletter as an alternative to the bi-annual printed version.
The one advantage of the monthly e-mail edition is that it will be up to date with that months news and articles. Another is that it will a smaller, easier to read snapshot rather than one long read. Finally for the charity it will cost zero to produce and distribute as it is written by volunteers.
We have to make the decision in early 2011 on how to move this forward but we have a couple of members of the Supporters Club who have expressed an interest in taking part in a trial. Their views will enable us to determine how useful and interesting the smaller newsletter is.
If anyone has any views regarding this, or want to take part in the trial (you must be a member of the Supporters Club) please feel free to contact me at
jonathan@happystaffierescue.org.uk
Sponsor a Dog coming
We will hopefully be launching our Sponsor a Dog scheme in early 2011.
The scheme will sit alongside the existing Supporters Club. The existing Supporters Club starts at £14 per annum. It is a good fundraising area, but is quite labour intensive at the times when the bi-annual newsletters are written, printed and posted. It is our intention to move towards an electronic version of the newsletter, possibly distributed monthly (in a smaller format) with the option of a hardcopy as an alternative.
The Sponsor a Dog Scheme will allow people to donate to the charity with the focus on a particular dog(s). Further details will follow here as they are put together but we expect to start the Scheme at around £1 a week, or £4-5 a month paid by direct debit.
The scheme will sit alongside the existing Supporters Club. The existing Supporters Club starts at £14 per annum. It is a good fundraising area, but is quite labour intensive at the times when the bi-annual newsletters are written, printed and posted. It is our intention to move towards an electronic version of the newsletter, possibly distributed monthly (in a smaller format) with the option of a hardcopy as an alternative.
The Sponsor a Dog Scheme will allow people to donate to the charity with the focus on a particular dog(s). Further details will follow here as they are put together but we expect to start the Scheme at around £1 a week, or £4-5 a month paid by direct debit.
Third charity shop
Our plans for a third charity shop will move forward in January.
It is our intention to a find suitable location in Worcestershire or the West Midlands for opening by the beginning of April. We have to ensure it ticks all the right boxes and can be a fundraising success like Kidderminster.
It is our aim to open two successful shops during 2011 to further support the expanding charitable activities of Happy Staffie Rescue.
It is our intention to a find suitable location in Worcestershire or the West Midlands for opening by the beginning of April. We have to ensure it ticks all the right boxes and can be a fundraising success like Kidderminster.
It is our aim to open two successful shops during 2011 to further support the expanding charitable activities of Happy Staffie Rescue.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Newsletter 3 shipped
The third edition of Happy Staffie Times has been posted today and hopefully will be with members of our Supporters Club early next week.
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Financial security
The financial security of the charity has been secured in the medium term by a generous donation. The funds came from the estate of a lady who helped Happy Staffie Rescue in our earliest days with a cash donation in 2009. The sum enabled us to buy the basic tools we needed to begin fundraising - a gazebo, tables, collection boxes and buckets, etc. Now, a year after her sad passing her memory will continue to live on with us and in the work we do.
1,000 Christmas cards sold
Our first attempt at Christmas cards have sold over 1,000 copies, and that is just from our Facebook fans and internet followers. We have sold good numbers in both of our charity shops which has confirmed for us that the cards will return in 2011 (with a new design or two).
Thank you to everyone who has helped support a Staffordshire bull terrier in need of a home by buying these cards, all of which were made by our volunteers.
Thank you to everyone who has helped support a Staffordshire bull terrier in need of a home by buying these cards, all of which were made by our volunteers.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Happy Staffie Times Newsletter features
The main theme of the third edition of our newsletter which is now winging its way to members of our Supporters Club is Transparency and Openness.
We strongly believe in the guiding principles of the Charity Commission and strictly adhere (as should all charities) to the guidance they provide and the laws on which charities are allowed to operate.
Therefore, in this edition for the first time we have decided to provide some details about the people behind the charity. You will not find enormous biographies, just their names and the functions they undertake and a small description of their function within the charity.
For example we will list the trustees of the charity (also called directors) by their names. And we will let you know who is managing the day to day functions of the charity.
All the legal information is also contained included our registered charity number, registered company number, registered office and contact information.
Many charities would not believe this is necessary but in the spirit or transparency we think it is important you can see who is behind the charity. We may, in the future provide further information in the form of an informal interview with key people so that you can get to know who they are in more detail.
A further feature is a review of our 2009/10 accounts. Again many smaller charities will consider their accounts sacred and not for the eyes of anyone outside of statutory bodies and their individual boards or committees. Not us. I have provided a short breakdown of how much has been raised, and in what areas and the costs associated with these endeavours.
We will not hide faults, and as we completed the newsletter we were made aware of a mistake in our microchipping system (which has now been rectified). This problem came about because of a change in personnel as the welfare and rehoming role went from volunteer to another volunteer. I was only able to squeeze the information in, but under November on page 3 you see a mention of it. Rest assured we have identified all dogs affected and will be ensuring that all details are in the correct names.
And we will be honest about disappointment - which is why we highlight the disappointing returns from our second shop in Stourbridge. While it remains profitable, the levels are too low for us to effectively plan for the income it raises.
We strongly believe in the guiding principles of the Charity Commission and strictly adhere (as should all charities) to the guidance they provide and the laws on which charities are allowed to operate.
Therefore, in this edition for the first time we have decided to provide some details about the people behind the charity. You will not find enormous biographies, just their names and the functions they undertake and a small description of their function within the charity.
For example we will list the trustees of the charity (also called directors) by their names. And we will let you know who is managing the day to day functions of the charity.
All the legal information is also contained included our registered charity number, registered company number, registered office and contact information.
Many charities would not believe this is necessary but in the spirit or transparency we think it is important you can see who is behind the charity. We may, in the future provide further information in the form of an informal interview with key people so that you can get to know who they are in more detail.
A further feature is a review of our 2009/10 accounts. Again many smaller charities will consider their accounts sacred and not for the eyes of anyone outside of statutory bodies and their individual boards or committees. Not us. I have provided a short breakdown of how much has been raised, and in what areas and the costs associated with these endeavours.
We will not hide faults, and as we completed the newsletter we were made aware of a mistake in our microchipping system (which has now been rectified). This problem came about because of a change in personnel as the welfare and rehoming role went from volunteer to another volunteer. I was only able to squeeze the information in, but under November on page 3 you see a mention of it. Rest assured we have identified all dogs affected and will be ensuring that all details are in the correct names.
And we will be honest about disappointment - which is why we highlight the disappointing returns from our second shop in Stourbridge. While it remains profitable, the levels are too low for us to effectively plan for the income it raises.
Monday, 6 December 2010
Calendar in print
Our 2011 Calendar has gone into print today.
The final design was signed off and given the okay by the printers and we have received word that they went into print today.
We have to allow until 17 December 2010 for receipt, but will send them out so that buyers received them before Christmas.
The final design was signed off and given the okay by the printers and we have received word that they went into print today.
We have to allow until 17 December 2010 for receipt, but will send them out so that buyers received them before Christmas.
58th, 59th dogs in,
We have now taken in our 59th dog in since we began taking in dogs in August 2009.
Red and Buster can both be seen at our web site.
Red and Buster can both be seen at our web site.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Chester progress update
We have received another update on Chester, who is being rehabilitated by Jo Cottrell of DogTrouble.co.uk.
"He's been living with the pack now and has not shown any signs of aggression. He would be suited to a dog of low to medium energy that does not show signs of dominance."
It shows what you find when an expert gets involved. We always considered Chester could never be rehomed with another dog, but Jo has shown that the opposite is the case, and that he would flourish in a home with another calm dog.
"He's been living with the pack now and has not shown any signs of aggression. He would be suited to a dog of low to medium energy that does not show signs of dominance."
It shows what you find when an expert gets involved. We always considered Chester could never be rehomed with another dog, but Jo has shown that the opposite is the case, and that he would flourish in a home with another calm dog.
Cesar Milan
I have had an on/off admiration for Cesar Milan.
At first, when I saw his earlier shows several years ago I was in naive awe at what he was able to achieve.
Then, the doubt set in. Mutterings and rumours on the internet about using force, and what many considered out-dated methods of training. Then there was incident that led to a legal case and a settlement out of court (never a good sign).
Then I came back to the show, and watched it again and took a different view, not least in his attitude to rescue dogs, banned breeds and puppy farms.
I also have to think about the same people who criticise his methods as often being the same people who perform curiously simple short tests to define if a dog is aggressive, and therefore should live. This was demonstrated graphically in a recent BBC Panorama episode. Here a leading dog welfare organisation decided that because a dog pulled on a lead, and maybe growled (it was inaudible to me) it was dog-aggressive and because of this, and the pressing numbers in their care it could not be kept for rehoming, but destroyed instead. I was horrified.
Cesar Milan would not accept that. Then again the comparison is by default unfair, because Cesar does not have 3,000+ dogs to deal with every year, but his attitude is that no dog is beyond help, even if it means the owners may need to change.
So, is Cesar cruel? Is it cruel to use a choke chain on a strong dominant dog? Well he very rarely uses one. He has developed his own collar that is, from what I can see, a development of the choke principle, but in a slightly different way. More often, for dogs that pull and are intent on taking their owners wherever they please he uses a rope collar (choke principle still applies) and lifts it as high as it can go under the head of the dog. This does work, instantly in controlling the movement of the dog. I have tried it myself. But the trick is to know when to do it, and when to stop doing it. If the lead is held incorrectly the dog will still pull, and the position of the collar could cause considerable suffering even injury. That is why Cesar could cause problems for viewers who attempt these techniques without actually knowing what they're doing.
Cesar has used the body flip, roll and pin to dominate aggressive dogs. For this he has been criticised. Yet I did not see the criticism levied at the BBC when on its Dog Borstal Mick did exactly the same thing. I admire Mick, and I like his style and feel his use of the flip and pin was necessary to establish first dominance, then submission and finally trust in the dog. It worked.
Then there is the back-heel. In the legal case mentioned above it was insinuated that this may have been used to such a degree that the dog in question had bruising in the thigh area. From what I see, Cesar uses a tap of the heel, more a touch and certainly not a kick. I do not like this form of physical technique, but it can work. With my Bo, who can be dog aggressive to strangers the tap on the back leg instantly clicks him out of the prey instinct. However, I choose to avoid those contacts in the first place rather than stress/excite him to the point that I would have to issue some a 'touch'.
The other 'touch' is what he calls the bite or nip, and what I call the claw, as that is what the hand looks like. I can concerned that this technique is not sufficiently explained for ordinary owners to understand. It works part of the time for Cesar, but I think only in those nervous excitable cases where the 'touch' snaps the dog from the mentality of the problem. I have tried the 'claw' and find it marginally effective. For Dolly it has no effect, but she is more confident. I have not needed to use it on Bo. For the old boy Jasper it instantly snaps him out of any barking frenzy, but that I feel is more to do with his nervous disposition. Charlie, the smallest of my wayward pack has no effect.
Finally there is the 'ssssch' command. The sound works. It works for me, although I am not consistent with it, it seems to be a calm command to control the dog and obtain attention.
So while some of what Cesar does may not sit happily with our cosy little view of the dog world, he does not give up on dogs. He rescues many and abhors abuse and violence towards dogs. You will notice also how he instills in his clients the need to remain calm with their dogs, even in the most frustrating circumstances. For this reason, I do admire what he does and continue to watch his shows. He is trying to change the way people view dogs, instilling the need to exercise and reward, to obtain respect through calm confident leadership, by setting the necessary rules, boundaries and limitations, and by trying to get people to stop buying dogs from puppy farms and by extension pet shops.
At first, when I saw his earlier shows several years ago I was in naive awe at what he was able to achieve.
Then, the doubt set in. Mutterings and rumours on the internet about using force, and what many considered out-dated methods of training. Then there was incident that led to a legal case and a settlement out of court (never a good sign).
Then I came back to the show, and watched it again and took a different view, not least in his attitude to rescue dogs, banned breeds and puppy farms.
I also have to think about the same people who criticise his methods as often being the same people who perform curiously simple short tests to define if a dog is aggressive, and therefore should live. This was demonstrated graphically in a recent BBC Panorama episode. Here a leading dog welfare organisation decided that because a dog pulled on a lead, and maybe growled (it was inaudible to me) it was dog-aggressive and because of this, and the pressing numbers in their care it could not be kept for rehoming, but destroyed instead. I was horrified.
Cesar Milan would not accept that. Then again the comparison is by default unfair, because Cesar does not have 3,000+ dogs to deal with every year, but his attitude is that no dog is beyond help, even if it means the owners may need to change.
So, is Cesar cruel? Is it cruel to use a choke chain on a strong dominant dog? Well he very rarely uses one. He has developed his own collar that is, from what I can see, a development of the choke principle, but in a slightly different way. More often, for dogs that pull and are intent on taking their owners wherever they please he uses a rope collar (choke principle still applies) and lifts it as high as it can go under the head of the dog. This does work, instantly in controlling the movement of the dog. I have tried it myself. But the trick is to know when to do it, and when to stop doing it. If the lead is held incorrectly the dog will still pull, and the position of the collar could cause considerable suffering even injury. That is why Cesar could cause problems for viewers who attempt these techniques without actually knowing what they're doing.
Cesar has used the body flip, roll and pin to dominate aggressive dogs. For this he has been criticised. Yet I did not see the criticism levied at the BBC when on its Dog Borstal Mick did exactly the same thing. I admire Mick, and I like his style and feel his use of the flip and pin was necessary to establish first dominance, then submission and finally trust in the dog. It worked.
Then there is the back-heel. In the legal case mentioned above it was insinuated that this may have been used to such a degree that the dog in question had bruising in the thigh area. From what I see, Cesar uses a tap of the heel, more a touch and certainly not a kick. I do not like this form of physical technique, but it can work. With my Bo, who can be dog aggressive to strangers the tap on the back leg instantly clicks him out of the prey instinct. However, I choose to avoid those contacts in the first place rather than stress/excite him to the point that I would have to issue some a 'touch'.
The other 'touch' is what he calls the bite or nip, and what I call the claw, as that is what the hand looks like. I can concerned that this technique is not sufficiently explained for ordinary owners to understand. It works part of the time for Cesar, but I think only in those nervous excitable cases where the 'touch' snaps the dog from the mentality of the problem. I have tried the 'claw' and find it marginally effective. For Dolly it has no effect, but she is more confident. I have not needed to use it on Bo. For the old boy Jasper it instantly snaps him out of any barking frenzy, but that I feel is more to do with his nervous disposition. Charlie, the smallest of my wayward pack has no effect.
Finally there is the 'ssssch' command. The sound works. It works for me, although I am not consistent with it, it seems to be a calm command to control the dog and obtain attention.
So while some of what Cesar does may not sit happily with our cosy little view of the dog world, he does not give up on dogs. He rescues many and abhors abuse and violence towards dogs. You will notice also how he instills in his clients the need to remain calm with their dogs, even in the most frustrating circumstances. For this reason, I do admire what he does and continue to watch his shows. He is trying to change the way people view dogs, instilling the need to exercise and reward, to obtain respect through calm confident leadership, by setting the necessary rules, boundaries and limitations, and by trying to get people to stop buying dogs from puppy farms and by extension pet shops.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Ban puppy farms
I believe passionately in the need for stricter controls for the breeding of all animals. For this reason puppy farms or mills should be illegal. What would define a puppy farm or mill? It could be as simple as any place where more than a specified number of breeding bitches are present. This would be decided by discussion which inevitably would probably lead to too high a number.
Any breeder who has more than five breeding bitches is in my opinion a puppy farm. For me that should be limit.
We are often told by legitimate breeders that their purpose in breeding is not financial, but for the dogs and furthering strong pedigree lines. If the former does not apply, then the selective careful breeding should be limited to a minimum number of breeding bitches. Five breeding bitches producing up to 60 puppies a year is way too excessive for me, but I guess that would be a feasible limit to impose.
There is currently no desire to impose such legislation, other than that which is being discussed by the Welsh Assembly. Wales has a particularly problem not least because its great expanses of rural terrain and former farms allow perfect seclusion for the unsavoury savagery of puppy farming.
It is regrettable that today, in 2010 the UK has pet supermarkets and online retailers advertising puppies for sale. Those dumb enough to buy from these sources get what they get in dogs that are likely to have a higher chance of hereditary diseases, disabilities, behavioural problems and even present injuries otherwise hidden from view such as broken or fractured limbs.
It is time for the government to put forward a plan to eliminate these awful places of barbaric practice and in turn further limit the mass production of unwanted dogs.
Any breeder who has more than five breeding bitches is in my opinion a puppy farm. For me that should be limit.
We are often told by legitimate breeders that their purpose in breeding is not financial, but for the dogs and furthering strong pedigree lines. If the former does not apply, then the selective careful breeding should be limited to a minimum number of breeding bitches. Five breeding bitches producing up to 60 puppies a year is way too excessive for me, but I guess that would be a feasible limit to impose.
There is currently no desire to impose such legislation, other than that which is being discussed by the Welsh Assembly. Wales has a particularly problem not least because its great expanses of rural terrain and former farms allow perfect seclusion for the unsavoury savagery of puppy farming.
It is regrettable that today, in 2010 the UK has pet supermarkets and online retailers advertising puppies for sale. Those dumb enough to buy from these sources get what they get in dogs that are likely to have a higher chance of hereditary diseases, disabilities, behavioural problems and even present injuries otherwise hidden from view such as broken or fractured limbs.
It is time for the government to put forward a plan to eliminate these awful places of barbaric practice and in turn further limit the mass production of unwanted dogs.
Monday, 15 November 2010
Christmas fundraising
Our efforts to raise funds during winter have begun in earnest. This time of year is unusual because charity shops (in our experience) see a small increase in average daily sales, but the actual number of trading days available what with holidays means the overal income can fall slightly.
This was further compounded with the bad weather we experienced in January which I estimate cost the charity around £800 in net income, not a small sum for our small organisation.
This Christmas we have two events planned that we launched last year, and two brand new ones.
The two returning are our Grand Winter Raffle and our Christmas Bag Pack once again thanks to the Co-operative group.
Launching this winter as mentioned earlier is our Christmas Cards and 2011 Calendar. The cards are on sale now and available from either our web site or from either of our shops in Kidderminster and Stourbridge.
The calendar being brand new is currently being put together thanks to Priya Dadry who has offered her skills free of charge to design it. We will then pay a printer to produce 150 limited edition copies. Even without sight of it more than a quarter of those copies have been sold. We hope to have the calendar ready and posted out to buyers by the middle of December at the latest. Some will be available for sale in the shops and others via the internet.
This was further compounded with the bad weather we experienced in January which I estimate cost the charity around £800 in net income, not a small sum for our small organisation.
This Christmas we have two events planned that we launched last year, and two brand new ones.
The two returning are our Grand Winter Raffle and our Christmas Bag Pack once again thanks to the Co-operative group.
Launching this winter as mentioned earlier is our Christmas Cards and 2011 Calendar. The cards are on sale now and available from either our web site or from either of our shops in Kidderminster and Stourbridge.
The calendar being brand new is currently being put together thanks to Priya Dadry who has offered her skills free of charge to design it. We will then pay a printer to produce 150 limited edition copies. Even without sight of it more than a quarter of those copies have been sold. We hope to have the calendar ready and posted out to buyers by the middle of December at the latest. Some will be available for sale in the shops and others via the internet.
Chester update
We have received the following update from Jo Cottrell re her work to rehabilitate Chester:
"Chester is doing great, he came out on a pack walk this morning, has been cycling and on the treadmill daily, loves it. Initial thoughts are that he just doesn't know how to be a dog, hence initial panic state when meeting the other dogs but now ok.
"Doesn't seem to have aggressive tendencies as reported yet but will update when I feed him with the pack. He's a case that needs to be immersed into dog pack life as he is very 'needy' with humans at present verging on separation anxiety. So a couple of weeks with them should help with that.
"Will do a full report over the next week for you. He's not got major issues so I would suggest that you start looking for a home for him. I can see if the local rescues here will help advertise. I will put together a video clip and put it on my website so you will then be able to link to it for people to view him...."
Thanks once again to Jo who is working hard to rectify the problems Chester has. Of course he is already available for adoption, however any rehoming would occur after the completion of this period of training and rehabilitation.
"Chester is doing great, he came out on a pack walk this morning, has been cycling and on the treadmill daily, loves it. Initial thoughts are that he just doesn't know how to be a dog, hence initial panic state when meeting the other dogs but now ok.
"Doesn't seem to have aggressive tendencies as reported yet but will update when I feed him with the pack. He's a case that needs to be immersed into dog pack life as he is very 'needy' with humans at present verging on separation anxiety. So a couple of weeks with them should help with that.
"Will do a full report over the next week for you. He's not got major issues so I would suggest that you start looking for a home for him. I can see if the local rescues here will help advertise. I will put together a video clip and put it on my website so you will then be able to link to it for people to view him...."
Thanks once again to Jo who is working hard to rectify the problems Chester has. Of course he is already available for adoption, however any rehoming would occur after the completion of this period of training and rehabilitation.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Chester progress update
Chester, the poor boy who is struggling so hard with kennel life has begun a period of intensive therapy, training and analysis. Happy Staffie Rescue have engaged the services of Jo Cottrell, a dog behaviourist. You can find out more about Jo and her work and services by visiting her website dogtrouble.co.uk.
e-newsletter coming
We have decided to bring forward our plans for an 'e-newsletter' to work alongside or replace the existing paper version of the Happy Staffie Rescue.
Our research has found some benefits in doing so.
Our research has found some benefits in doing so.
- financial savings of £1.23 per year per supporter
- full colour throughout
- less paper - around 800 pages a year at present
- easier to produce and amend
We have selected several new members to be 'guinea pigs' to test the pdf version of the newsletter.
While at this stage the e-newsletter will be almost identical in content to the paper version the one key difference will be the use of colour throughout, whereas in the paper version due to cost only a few pages are in colour.
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Dangerous Dogs Act - BE AWARE
If you are fortunate enough to own a wonderful Staffordshire bull terrier you need and must be aware of the Dangerous Dogs Act.
This is not because the DDA bans the beloved Staffie, which of course it doesn't, but because the evidence is clear - the police do not know what a Staffordshire bull terrier looks like.
Having checked out the illuminating DDAWatch web site I can across a page that lists some of those dogs seized and killed by the police. It is clear from some of these images that some of these dogs are Staffies or Staffie-crosses.
There are numerous online resources available and I recommend as a Staffie you make yourself aware of them so that should a police officer decide your Staffie is in pact a pit bull, or Tosa or any of the other banned breeds you know what you can do. Be aware, don't panic.
This is not because the DDA bans the beloved Staffie, which of course it doesn't, but because the evidence is clear - the police do not know what a Staffordshire bull terrier looks like.
Having checked out the illuminating DDAWatch web site I can across a page that lists some of those dogs seized and killed by the police. It is clear from some of these images that some of these dogs are Staffies or Staffie-crosses.
There are numerous online resources available and I recommend as a Staffie you make yourself aware of them so that should a police officer decide your Staffie is in pact a pit bull, or Tosa or any of the other banned breeds you know what you can do. Be aware, don't panic.
Dog Owners Voluntary Duty of Care Code
What about a voluntary dog owners Duty of Care Code.
I have been thinking of this as a way of showing others the way in which you can bring a dog up. Of course this is my personal belief, and is open to disagreement and debate, but it is entirely voluntary of course.
So what could go in the code. It could be a series of levels that owners can voluntarily undertake. They come in the following levels, and can be done in any order. You do not for instance have to have done the first listed. Your personal level will be dependant on how many levels you have attained or undertaken.
Here is a short list of the sort of things that could be covered:
Obtain your dog from either of a) a licensed breeder with at the very least the mother present and pups seen interacting with their mother, or b) a dog rescue organisation
Have your dog innoculated at the appropriate earliest opportunity
Have your dog microchipped
Have your dog neutered before any pregnancies
Take your dog to dog training classes
Ensure that your dog is regularly treated for fleas and worms
Exercise your dog at least once every single day
Provide safe warm clean bedding for the dog to sleep in inside the home
Based on the above it is possible to be a Level 8 if you say you do all these things.
I have been thinking of this as a way of showing others the way in which you can bring a dog up. Of course this is my personal belief, and is open to disagreement and debate, but it is entirely voluntary of course.
So what could go in the code. It could be a series of levels that owners can voluntarily undertake. They come in the following levels, and can be done in any order. You do not for instance have to have done the first listed. Your personal level will be dependant on how many levels you have attained or undertaken.
Here is a short list of the sort of things that could be covered:
Obtain your dog from either of a) a licensed breeder with at the very least the mother present and pups seen interacting with their mother, or b) a dog rescue organisation
Have your dog innoculated at the appropriate earliest opportunity
Have your dog microchipped
Have your dog neutered before any pregnancies
Take your dog to dog training classes
Ensure that your dog is regularly treated for fleas and worms
Exercise your dog at least once every single day
Provide safe warm clean bedding for the dog to sleep in inside the home
Based on the above it is possible to be a Level 8 if you say you do all these things.
If dogs had a God
An inadvertent comment I made in my last post brought me to this strange thought. Some will instantly say dogs, and all animals for that matter have a god, and that god is the one that those same people worship.
I would prefer to delve into fantasy and believe that dogs would have their own god, in whatever form it might take. Question is, for an animal that is 'mans best friend', would their god take the form of a dog or a human? And, if it were a dog, what dog would it be.
A human god would satisfy our vanity and belief that dogs serve us and look to us for leadership. The trouble with this theory is that dogs only do so if that leadership is present. If it isn't, problems arise in behaviour that can often be addressed by introducing or reinstating that human leadership role.
Of course the debate on leadership and the role of the human as pack leader is equally debated among some trainers and behaviourists - some believe we humans are firmly part of the dog pack and must assume leadership or face being ousted. Others that humans are not in the pack, but a separate leadership group.
Therefore a dog god must be a dog. Right?
If so, what dog would it be. It has to have a physical presence of some kind to satisfy our idolisation, an image to present and market much in the same way we still present 'our' view of god as an aged man with long white beard and hair wearing white robes.
Many breed-specific fans would no doubt nominate their own type to take the place as god among dogs. I can think of some that would fit the bill - German shepherd perhaps, or a great Dane? But how cute would it be for the god of dogs to be a jack russell? A terrier certainly has the mental capacity to keep all eyes on all things (or as many things) as it possibly can, thereby satisfying the requirement of a dog god to be everywhere.
Or perhaps, more significantly the dog god should be a mongrel, a cross-breed of every breed that has ever existed, a form that continues to slowly change in form as new breeds come into being. Quite what such a dog would look like is beyond description, though my own 17 year old could fit the bill. How would I describe him? Well he's medium sized, long thin legs, with evidence in his back legs of good muscle in his younger days. He has a Mickey Mouse face, white but with brown fur surrounding his eyes. His muzzle is quite long, and his ears half-prick and long. He has a double coat, with a relatively short but soft coat in the summer, blooming into a woolly bush in the winter. He continually sheds. He has a bellowing bark, but can be as quiet as a mouse. He gets all with all dogs and never displays aggression to them. He could be the dog god.
I would prefer to delve into fantasy and believe that dogs would have their own god, in whatever form it might take. Question is, for an animal that is 'mans best friend', would their god take the form of a dog or a human? And, if it were a dog, what dog would it be.
A human god would satisfy our vanity and belief that dogs serve us and look to us for leadership. The trouble with this theory is that dogs only do so if that leadership is present. If it isn't, problems arise in behaviour that can often be addressed by introducing or reinstating that human leadership role.
Of course the debate on leadership and the role of the human as pack leader is equally debated among some trainers and behaviourists - some believe we humans are firmly part of the dog pack and must assume leadership or face being ousted. Others that humans are not in the pack, but a separate leadership group.
Therefore a dog god must be a dog. Right?
If so, what dog would it be. It has to have a physical presence of some kind to satisfy our idolisation, an image to present and market much in the same way we still present 'our' view of god as an aged man with long white beard and hair wearing white robes.
Many breed-specific fans would no doubt nominate their own type to take the place as god among dogs. I can think of some that would fit the bill - German shepherd perhaps, or a great Dane? But how cute would it be for the god of dogs to be a jack russell? A terrier certainly has the mental capacity to keep all eyes on all things (or as many things) as it possibly can, thereby satisfying the requirement of a dog god to be everywhere.
Or perhaps, more significantly the dog god should be a mongrel, a cross-breed of every breed that has ever existed, a form that continues to slowly change in form as new breeds come into being. Quite what such a dog would look like is beyond description, though my own 17 year old could fit the bill. How would I describe him? Well he's medium sized, long thin legs, with evidence in his back legs of good muscle in his younger days. He has a Mickey Mouse face, white but with brown fur surrounding his eyes. His muzzle is quite long, and his ears half-prick and long. He has a double coat, with a relatively short but soft coat in the summer, blooming into a woolly bush in the winter. He continually sheds. He has a bellowing bark, but can be as quiet as a mouse. He gets all with all dogs and never displays aggression to them. He could be the dog god.
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Fireworks for fun or fear
Firework night approaches and already those that feel the need are having their fun.
As the co-owner of four dogs, two of which have very definite fear of fireworks this time of year is particularly concerning.
There are a number of silent or quieter fireworks now available on the market and it is a shame they are not more popular.
Fireworks are a wonderful spectacle and great fun for kids so no one should want to see this end, but surely some responsibility could be applied.
Why can the sale of fireworks to the public not be limited to a few days, or even one day? Why are very loud fireworks even sold to members of the public at all? And why do so many ordinary folk want to do it themselves when the best displays are those organised by groups (and can usually be seen free of charge from a decent vantage point!).
I am glad that one of the local dog rescues has abandoned their fireworks night. What strange paradox that would have been, an organisation with the best interests of dogs at heart, partaking in an event that would put the fear of god (if dogs have one!) in to so many of them.
As the co-owner of four dogs, two of which have very definite fear of fireworks this time of year is particularly concerning.
There are a number of silent or quieter fireworks now available on the market and it is a shame they are not more popular.
Fireworks are a wonderful spectacle and great fun for kids so no one should want to see this end, but surely some responsibility could be applied.
Why can the sale of fireworks to the public not be limited to a few days, or even one day? Why are very loud fireworks even sold to members of the public at all? And why do so many ordinary folk want to do it themselves when the best displays are those organised by groups (and can usually be seen free of charge from a decent vantage point!).
I am glad that one of the local dog rescues has abandoned their fireworks night. What strange paradox that would have been, an organisation with the best interests of dogs at heart, partaking in an event that would put the fear of god (if dogs have one!) in to so many of them.
Charity Christmas Calendar
We are launching our first Charity Calendar (2011) and are accepting advance orders for what will be a limited 150-print.
You can find more information here.
Priya Dadry, graphic designer has kindly offered to design the calendar for us free of charge.
We hope over the coming weekend to be able to obtain the photographs necessary for the calendar and can then put these on the website to give you a flavour of what the calendar will be like.
You can find more information here.
Priya Dadry, graphic designer has kindly offered to design the calendar for us free of charge.
We hope over the coming weekend to be able to obtain the photographs necessary for the calendar and can then put these on the website to give you a flavour of what the calendar will be like.
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