Animal Friends visits Dogs Trust Salisbury

On Tuesday 7^th October two Animal Friends Pet Insurance employees headed over to Dogs Trust in Salisbury to present a cheque for £1,000 and to learn a little more about the work that goes on at the rescue.

Dogs Trust is the largest dog welfare charity in the UK, caring for around 16,000 dogs a year. Salisbury is one of 19 rehoming centres where dogs are kept and assessed before being rehomed. The charity is committed to never putting a healthy dog down and will do everything they can to help a dog find a home, regardless of the state they arrive in. No task is too big and no dog is too small. They have a fantastic network all over the country and are extremely committed to what they do.

As well as rehoming strays and rescues, they also run projects that provide veterinary care for dogs belonging to homeless people and provide free fostering services for people fleeing domestic abuse.

Dogs Trust in Salisbury has plenty of their own land so that the dogs in their care can exercise and socialise in safety. Their on-site behaviourist helps to assess, manage and rectify any social problems and can identify sources of fear and anxiety which can cause bad behaviour. This is crucial, particularly in cases where the animal has been abused or neglected. There is a vet onsite 5 days a week to treat any injuries and to evaluate any medical conditions that the new owner will need to know about. Before a dog is put up for adoption they must learn to share a kennel and go through 7 days of vetting to make sure they are in the best possible shape. This process makes sure that the dogs can have the best possible start in their new home. If for any reason a dog has to be returned to the shelter, Dogs Trust will vet them again for a further 7 days.

And it’s not just the dogs who need to be ready! Their diligent approach to rehoming dogs means that prospective adopters will be subject to a 7-10 day waiting period during which they will need to visit the dog a minimum of 3 times and will be visited at home by someone from the shelter to make sure they are ready for the commitment of a new addition. This helps ensure that the dog really is finding their forever home.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Siberian Huskies are the breeds most frequently finding themselves at the Salisbury rehoming centre. Dogs like 5 year old Husky Diesel may need a bit more attention and training but have bundles of love to offer in exchange for you putting in the groundwork.

Animal Friends Pet Insurance donated £1,000 as part of our Employee of the Month scheme: each month the winners choose a charity to receive a £1,000 donation in their name. Other winners have included Nowzad and Pup Aid.