After a long search, Dog Rescue Newcastle (DRN) recently secured a 2-acre property on which to create their new "Newcastle Animal Shelter"; much needed in this region. The goal of the shelter is to give death row dogs in pounds and at-risk situations in the Hunter and surrounds a second chance to find a forever home.
Many pounds don't have the resources, tools, or time to help dogs that have behavioral issues, severe anxiety, or those recovering from illness or injury, and as they are often not suitable for going straight into a foster home or being adopted immediately, they are sadly at a much higher risk of being euthanised.
Our grant funding will allow DRN to build a special "Safe House" away from the main kennel block to give these dogs space and quiet to decompress, be properly assessed, and receive the extra time and rehabilitation that they need before they are ready to move into foster care or to be adopted from the shelter. Dogs in the Safe House will receive personalised training plans to address any specific behaviours and allow them to socialise with humans and other dogs in their own time.
The Safe House will be created from 2 x 20ft containers which will be converted into 6 dog houses with their own runs for exercise. DRN expect it to see well over 100 dogs pass through on their way to their happy new beginnings over the next 2 years!
We are really excited to partner with Dog Rescue Newcastle on this project, knowing that it will provide a safe place for dogs that may otherwise never have got their second chance.
We also want to say a big thank you to all the other rescue groups who applied for Buddy's Grant, it was not an easy choice to make; there were many brilliant ideas and applications and we hope to help you bring their ideas to life in the future.
