Meet the Swinstead charity workers who have saved hundreds of dogs from being killed
Save Our Spaniels (SOS) is a UK-based registered charity based in Swinstead, that has been specifically set up to help spaniels that have been abandoned or dumped at Spanish ‘kill stations’ and shelters across the world.
It is run by a small group of volunteers, whose aim it is to find each of the rescue spaniels a loving home in the UK.
From humble beginnings with just two members of staff in 2015, the charity now has nine staff in the UK and one in Spain. They also have thousands of supporters who assist with transporting, home checking, fostering, fund-raising, donating and adoption.
Having rescued dogs that are abandoned in ‘kill stations’ abroad, handed into the pound by the dog wardens locally and found as strays on street in the UK and abroad, they are incredibly reliant on a small group of vets to assist with veterinary care.
As a thank you to Avenue Vets in Grantham, staff at the charity presented them with a doggy-themed 3D cake on Monday.
The Journal spoke to charity trustee Laura Hurt after the cake presentation this week to find out more about this incredible charity which started from such humble beginnings and has now rescued more than 500 dogs.
How did ‘Save Our Spaniels’ begin?
I saw a Brittany spaniel on Facebook five years ago in a kill station in Spain and was told she would be put to sleep in four days’ time. She was eight years old and no-one would entertain adopting such an old hunting dog. Well I was hooked. Save Our Spaniels became a reality in 2015 when other people asked for our help to rescue Britannys and spaniels. We became a registered UK charity in 2017 and have rescued dogs from Spain, Portugal, Gran Canaria, Bosnia, Serbia and China.
We have a group of 11 voluntary admin – 10 in the UK and one in Spain – who offer their time without recompense to ensure that SOS is able to run efficiently.
How many dogs do you have at any one time?
We currently have 21 adult rescues and five puppies in Spain waiting to travel, 17 in UK foster homes and 18 long-term foster dogs that due to age or ailments will remain under the wing of SOS for the rest of their days, but in a loving foster home.
What exactly is a ‘kill station’?
There are 800,000 strays in Spain (as of 2016) and the dog catchers round them up, take them to kill stations. Once the stations have reached capacity, they start to put the dogs to sleep. They receive little or no veterinary care in the perreras (pounds)and can die in agonising pain. They quite often place bitches with intact males and the fights that ensue result in deaths. The older dogs, aged six-plus, or the sick ones are the first to die. We prioritise these dogs. We rescued Lis, a 12-year-old Brittany in 2016 taken to the kill station by her hunter owner. He said that her litters were starting to get too small. He wanted to get rid. She came into foster with me in Lincolnshire and was certainly not ready to die. I lost her two months ago at the age of 16.
What is the most difficult part of the work you do?
The most difficult thing in rescue is the loss. Puppies left by the refuse bins only days old, spaniels with ropes wrapped around their necks and a stone attached to the other end – the list is endless. We never give up on a rescue, as long as we feel they aren’t suffering.
What do you enjoy the most?
I foster quite a bit for the 518 dogs we have rescued over the last four years and the joy to match the right gorgeous dog to a loving family is priceless. These dogs are not troublesome rescues with issues, they are hunting dogs that are cast aside due to the volume of dogs in Spain and the breed. Brittany/Breton make fabulous active, family furry members. We have had dozens of adopters come back to us for a second.
What role does Avenue Vets take? Ultimately, the decisions often rest on my shoulders, but I know, for veterinary care, Avenue Vets are always there to support me and the dogs. I have brought in paralysed, unconscious, truly disfigured, beaten, emaciated rescues and they just respond and provide a wealth of experience to support SOS. There is a slight stigma associated with foreign rescue. We are breed specific so aim to find loving homes for spaniels. Avenue Vets have never voiced concern and they have often researched and contacted colleagues on certain areas of health.
The cake was a thank you for everyone. The vets supply the expertise and experience, but ultimately the nursing staff provide the care and love and the reception staff cope with my many manic telephone calls on a weekly basis. I think I must book appointments at least twice weekly. We wanted everyone to feel included in the thanks. Bourne4Bake did a fantastic job in providing us with a ‘spaniel’.
How can members of the public help? We are truly desperate for foster homes in the UK. All of our dogs have to be assessed prior to adoption so we can match the right homes. Our website gives details on how to apply and what is involved, but without fosterers to open their hearts and homes, we are unable to bring the spaniels over to assess to find them and ultimately, find the right home for them.
Join our Facebook Page – ‘Save Our Spaniels’ – or take a look at the website www.saveourspaniels.org.uk
