How to greet a dog

Calendar competition

We are calling on all devoted owners of rescue dogs to nominate their camera-loving canines to appear in the new FPAR 2013 calendar. 

Twelve lucky dogs will be selected by the editor of Dogs Today magazine, Beverley Cuddy, to appear in the calendar, and will take part in a professional photoshoot in Cardiff courtesy of Lann Niziblian (www.hatchlingphoto.4ormat.com)

Of this dazzling dozen, one will be chosen by renowned artist, Mary Herbert , (www.portra.co.uk) to appear on the calendar cover, and their owner will receive a framed pastel portrait of the ‘top dog’, worth £280.

The competition opens on Monday, August 13 and is open to everyone with a rescue dog - not just those from FPAR - and the closing date is Monday, August 27, 2012. Entry requires a £1 goodwill donation per photo submitted, via www.justgiving.com/fourpawsanimalrescue

To enter just email your name, address, and phone number, along with a brief summary and photo of your dog (no larger than 1MB) to calendar@fourpawsanimalrescue.org.uk

Welcome donation

We have been voted as Asda's Community Life Chosen Charity and receive £200. That is a huge help to us.

Thanks for thinking of us!

Was that our summer?

The nice weather was short-lived! It hasn't deterred adopters though and we are very happy to say that many of our dogs are reserved or have gone to their new homes already this week.

One of those dogs who is off to her new home on Thursday is Chou Chou. It has been a long road but finally she has had the metalwork removed from her leg and is now needs to build up the muscles. Obviously the care will continue in her new home but her patient new owners are aware of this and can't wait to have her with them. She will also have a new name but we don't know what it is... well, her foster carer does but she's not telling.... yet.

We have had a few events on the go recently with a stall at Blackwood Carnival, a weekend at the Big Cheese so if you popped along to see us then thank you for your support.

Just a reminder: If you have put in an application for a dog, applied to become a volunteer or anything else please bear with us. We try to process all the paperwork as quickly as we can but also have to juggle paid employment, family and care of our own pets.

Hounds

Just look at our new additions. They are beautiful hound cross pups and are all waiting for their new homes.

Flora

Nivea

Ribbon

Yola

They are around 10 weeks old now and although look super cute we would ask any potential adopters to do their research on houndy types. They are known for following their nose rather than any instruction so can be very hard to train and rather stubborn. Although they are very good natured and make brilliant family pets.

To find out more about them please visit http://forum.fourpawsanimalrescue.org.uk/index.php?board=8.0

Update on Tara

Unfortunately Tara's cancer is too widely spread and it is beyond any sort of treatment. This lovely girl will spend the rest of her days with foster carer Zoe and family and be cherished until the end.

Seasonal struggle

Sorry for the negative aspects of this post. It really isn't much fun having to report how difficult life is for us as an animal charity but unfortunately the summer struggle has begun.

When we can't find foster homes for the pound dogs we rent boarding kennel space so that the dogs are safe. Not only is this expensive, it also depends on how busy the boarding kennels are and in the summer with people off on their summer holidays space is in short supply.

The pounds are still overrun with abandoned and stray dogs and all of our foster carers are taking at least one dog into their care so they can be assessed for rehoming.

One such dog is Lady Tara who was found straying in a terrible state. She has a very large mammary tumour and we are waiting for results of her blood tests to see if it can be safely removed.

We have recruited some lovely new foster carers and are very grateful for the extra support but we always need more to enable us to save more poundies. If you can help please fill out a foster carer application form and we will arrange a homecheck for you. Click here https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDEtVF9tc2xvQWRxMlZmWFFVWXRaaUE6MA