4000 Dogs Destroyed in Northern Ireland
Each year 4000 unwanted dogs placed in local
dog pounds are destroyed.
This represents 40% of the total for the whole of the United Kingdom.
To save some of these dogs from death row,
Assisi launched the
CHANCE OF A LIFETIME initiative in November 2003.
We organise the collection of dogs from pounds and sanctuaries
and transfer them to sanctuaries in England where there are more
opportunities for homes.
A specially
designed, air conditioned ambulance bought by Public donations and driven by
Volunteers is used to carry these precious, healthy dogs, to safety and new
homes.
On Wednesday 8 June 2005 Buddy became the 1,000th dog
to
travel to England and a loving home.
Pip was the 3,000th dog
to find sanctuary in England.
By the end of 2007, Chance of a Lifetime had transported 3641 dogs and puppies to sanctuaries on the mainland.
CHANCE OF A LIFETIME New total of 4000!!! dogs rescued from destruction in N.I.
Early on the morning of 30th April 2008, a twenty dog transfer, to Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre Kenilworth, left Northern Ireland. One of the dogs on board was Assisi's Chance of a Lifetime's 4000th dog to be transferred for rehoming in England. The dog's name is Samson, a five year old cream Labrador, rescued by Homeward Bound Sanctuary, from Cookstown Pound when his reclaim five days were up. He had been found wandering by the local Dog Warden, obviously ditched by uncaring owners. Had he not been rescued on that day, he would have been put down and become another disgraceful statistic that Northern Ireland should not be proud of.
Homeward Bound is a small sanctuary situated outside Maghera, run by Sharon Montgomery and Audrey Alexander and is totally supported by Assisi.
Assisi's Chance of a Lifetime Iveco Van, which is fitted out with 20 kennels, makes the 800 mile round trip journey most weekends to Dogs Trust rehoming centres at Kenilworth or Evesham, having collected the dogs from Assisi or the numerous small sanctuary's around Northern Ireland. The picture shows Samson being prepared for loading on to the van ready for the transfer.
The good news is Samson and many of the other dogs transferred that day have already been successfully rehomed in England.
Samson, the 4000th dog to be taken to safety on the mainland.
Assisi continue to need volunteers to help collect and transport the Dogs and
puppies and to fund this project.
If you would like to find out more about this Initiative or to offer
support, please contact:
The Assisi Chance of a Lifetime Organiser - Bill.
Tel 028 9181 2622.