With Christmas less than two weeks away, a Perth dog rescue is reminding would-be pet owners that dogs are companions for life, and not just a cute gift.
The Desperate for Love Dog Pound Rescue rescues dogs from pounds across Perth and regional areas, with more than 70 dogs and puppies currently in its’ care. This includes around 20 dogs in their Forever Foster program which provides care and financial support for dogs too old or unwell to be re-homed.
The group says they’ve seen a rise in the number of dogs being surrendered as cost of living continues to have an impact on WA households, with spokeswoman Emma Broz urging people to think twice before taking on a dog.
“Dogs are wonderful companions and bring so much love to the family, but they’re not a short-term commitment.”
“Too many people are still taking on dogs without completely understanding the long-term time and financial implications, and unfortunately that’s when we see them being surrendered.”
“We have seen it before, a new dog at Christmas becomes a surrender by Easter.”
Funded completely by donations, the group is partnering with Muzz Buzz throughout December and January to sell air-fresheners at metro stores – raising funds and awareness about the important work they do.
Customers have also been greeted by some of the DFL dogs at select Muzz Buzz stores in recent weeks.
Muzz Buzz CEO Joyce Reynolds says while all dog rescue groups are worthy of support, some of the smaller organisations may struggle to be noticed.
“We know cost of living continues to have an impact on households, which unfortunately means there’s less money for donations, and particularly for those groups who might not be as well known.”
“We hope the campaign reminds people they can support groups such as Desperate for Love in a number of ways – whether it’s a small donation, becoming a foster carer, or simply raising awareness about the important work they do.”
Mrs Reynolds says the work of groups like Desperate for Love is especially close to the hearts of herself and her husband, after they rescued a dog six years ago – with Jock now often spending his days in the Muzz Buzz head office.
“Jock has changed our lives for the better, and we believe more dogs deserve the opportunity to find a loving home, which is why we are proud to support the incredible work being done by Desperate for Love.”
With the campaign taking place through summer, Mrs Reynolds is also stressing another important message – the impact of heat on dogs.
“We love to see dogs in our customers’ cars, but we just remind everyone not to leave them in vehicles unattended for even a few minutes, especially during the hotter months.”
“We also urge people to avoid walking dogs on footpaths and roads during the heat of the day – if it’s too hot for us to go barefoot, then it’s too hot for the dogs!”
For more information about Desperate for Love, head to https://www.dfldogrescue.com.au/
