Exciting times... or daunting ones?

We are busier than ever in terms of the sheer numbers of dogs we're being asked to help and the speed at which we need to help them.  The sheer numbers of dogs coming through the pounds means there is never a moment's rest, never a moment when we can forget about the dogs that need us.

This week we have had to cancel appearances at two dog shows which we were scheduled to attend shortly.  We simply don't have the time to spare.  Every second we have is dedicated to saving these dogs.

But that presents us with a real problem... It costs us anything between £60 and £150 to transport a dog to safety, neutering costs between £110 and £140 per dog.  Our costs are spiralling in line with the sheer volume of dogs coming through the pounds.

What to do?  Do we take time out to run the essential fundraising events we need to raise desperately needed cash?  Or do we save that dog that only has until tomorrow afternoon, that dog that noone else will help, if we don't?

So this week's task is to try and find ways of raising funds without having to hold events which will wipe out several of our very busy days - the dogs need us and we cannot take our eye of the ball for more than a couple of hours.

Today's mission?  To explore merchandising opportunities.

This is where I've got to so far...

Safe and Sound's Tshirt Factory

Thoughts please!

Hip hip hooray! :D

We are delighted to announce that our neutering appeal has not only paid for Samson and Rio to be neutered, but that there was enough money left over to allow us to get Cooper neutered too!

And in even better news, both Samson AND Rio were offered rescue spaces shortly afterwards.

Now for the best bit of all...  Rio and Samson have both been rehomed!  Samson was spotted at the kennels by a family visiting another dog - they fell in love with him on first sight.  Rio went into foster care, but was there for only 12 hours before his foster family decided they wanted to become his forever family.

Woo hoo!  What a result!

We are keeping everything crossed that Cooper gets some good news soon too.

Great news!

We have raised enough money to get both Samson AND Rio neutered.  They are booked in for 'the snip' next monday!  Woo hoo!

Now we just need to find them both a rescue space!.....

Special Appeal

Stunning Samson and Ravishing Rio are now two of the longest residents at their pound.  We have had NO rescue interest in them and the months are steadily ticking by.

These boys are too fabulous leave locked away in a kennel for months and months on end, when we KNOW they will both make fantastic pets.

We cannot, we will not, leave them languishing in the pound with no hope of a future.

We are therefore launching a special appeal to get both Samson and Rio neutered. The hope is that this will make them much easier to place with rescues and hopefully shorten their stay at the pound. We need to raise £220 to neuter both dogs.

Can you donate just £1 towards Samson and Rio's neutering fund? Donations can be made via our website (bank transfer or via paypal):  http://www.safe-and-sound.org/donate

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Just a Staffie Cross

Today is just another day - to me they're all the same,

I have the worst of genes you see - I bear the "Staffie" shame.

The shame is in our numbers, there's thousands with no home.

Thousands just like me you'll find, in kennels - all alone.

My mum was "just a Staffie", my father - well who knows?

Mum, too, becomes unwanted, as the last of her puppies goes.

And then begins the process, of money-making deals,

A life of "moving on" unfolds - who cares how a Staffie feels?

If you have the cash to hand, that Staffie pup is yours,

But that pup is getting bigger now - just look at those big paws!

You bought me for your image, thought I'd make you look real tough.

Soon you find my boisterous nature has already got too much.

If you had thought to train me, with kindness and with praise,

You would have had a faithful friend to share your darkest days.

Though I'd lay down my life for you, you simply cannot see.

Just make sure you get your money back on what you paid for me.

And on it goes, until one day, I'm no longer worth a dime.

The retail on an adult staff? Not worth the waste of time!

So what happens to a Staffie now? Do you really want to know?

Do you care what will become of us, when we leave our final home?

Have you ever thought to wonder, "Where is that Staffie now?"

The "Staffie" has another name; he's become a "stray" somehow.

I was put into a car and driven far away,

The door held open, I jumped right out - I thought to run and play.

With joy and happiness in my heart, I turned to look for you.

You drove away with all my trust and a piece of my heart too.

I wondered round for many days before I was brought here.

Now I wait, with heavy heart, all alone and full of fear.

Seven days is all I have you see -seven days for you to claim

The little dog that you threw out, for which you have no shame.

This is my last goodbye now - my seven days are up,

If only more thought had gone into the future of that pup.

As the needle empties into my veins

I lay down with one last sigh,

I'm sorry I was born a Staffie, because it means that I must die.

Author unknown