Stray Dog Pound out to make money?

[MurphysMinder]

I would be interested what folks who run centres make of the following (sorry bit long).
There is a kennel near us which is the stray dog kennel for a local council . A while ago I was a bit surprised when I found out that they didn't do home checks, think that is very irresponsible. There have now been 2 incidents in our local paper. In the first case a family found a stray dog, were keen to keep it but felt they should contact dog warden in case owner looking for it. It had to be taken to kennels, for statutory 7 days. After this time family went to rehome the dog and were charged £85.00. I understand costs have to be covered but in this instance it seems a bit cheeky. Dad of the family is quoted as saying that he wished he had just kept the dog but thought he was doing the right thing.
This led to someone else contacting paper to say they had rehomed a dog from same kennel, and paid £85.00. The dog had escaped within a few days (maybe a home check would have helped here!) and was picked up by dog warden. When the people went to collect the dog they were told they had to pay another £85.00 . In this case they refused and left the dog there so perhaps as well they didn't get the dog again, but I think the kennel owner is being a bit greedy. Any other thoughts out there? And well done if you got through to the end!

 

[WelshRareBit]

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This led to someone else contacting paper to say they had rehomed a dog from same kennel, and paid £85.00. The dog had escaped within a few days (maybe a home check would have helped here!) and was picked up by dog warden. When the people went to collect the dog they were told they had to pay another £85.00 . In this case they refused and left the dog there so perhaps as well they didn't get the dog again, but I think the kennel owner is being a bit greedy. Any other thoughts out there? And well done if you got through to the end!

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Are you sure you arent confusing rescues with the pound?

Im not sure if the rescue kennel can be blamed for the dog warden/pound charging a fee to release the dog (if Ive read it right)
In the first instance wouldnt the dog have been held in the pound and not in rescue kennels?...

 

[Fenris]

Please ask your local authority to cite where in the relevant legislation it states that a dog that is reported as stray has to be taken to the stray pound for any period of time?

If someone finds a stray dog the only requirement is that they *report* it, not that they put it in kennels.

Now I suspect that a complaint will not get the money refunded but it might just alert the local council to a scam.

Have a word with the people over at dog lost. http://www.doglost.co.uk/
tel: 01302 743361
I am sure they will be very interested in such happenings, and they are the experts on the regulations.

Good luck - and let us know how you get on!

.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Yes sorry, used the wrong term there. Couldn't think what to call it but it is a stray dog pound NOT a rescue kennel. Don't want to give the latter a bad name as they do a brilliant job. This particular kennel is in my county but acts as pound for another county. The stray dog pound for this area (which also takes dogs in from the general public, so does that make it a rescue kennel too?) is great, and I have no problems with them. Have edited my original post to correct my error.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I am going to see if there are any more follow up cases in the local paper this week. There might even be a comment from thekennel owner. I am aware that we are dealing with newspaper reports here so truth might be embellished a bit, but will try and find out more and get dog losts point of view. I don't know if it makes a difference to laws but it is a welsh local authority.

 

[CAYLA]

The pound type kennels here are the same...I do think it is fair to charge and I know they cannot do home checks..due to lack of paid staff...however we manage and nobody is paid to do ours.....esp me...who does the majority of them.
I don't agree with the fact they took the dog into the kennels...esp if the finders mentioned they could house the dog....this is wrong....for the welfare of the dog...it would be better in a home environment than the kennels, lessen he risk of parvo and related viruses/kennel cough..which the majority go out with.
Kennels get a 1st week fee from the council for every dog they take £45 or there abouts.

Thet then get there rehoming fee on top of that...or dog pts if not....so I can't see that they make a loss, dogs fed the cheapest food, no heat...not the ones near me anyway.
Most run a boarding business along side that aswell.
Last time I visited the kenels to pick a dog up...there was well over 50 dogs in...that alot of £45s

It bugs me...there is no neutering done..instead they give a voucher out....so alot of people go to find a bargain pedigree they can breed from

IMO...they are there to make money....after all they are a business....shame for the animals.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I do not have a problem with a rehoming fee being charged normally, it just seems in these 2 circumstances the kennel was being a bit greedy. The true rescue kennels I know of all have volunteers to do home checks so can't see why this guy doesn't do the same.
As you say when it comes down to it, it is a business I suppose. He does also have a boarding kennel and cattery, and often has a board outside saying puppies for sale as well. Not sure if these are ones he has bred or strays.

I am going to see if there are any more follow up stories in the paper and try and find a bit more out about the set up.

 

[CAYLA]

I totally agree with you and it's very frustrating

I though he may have a boarding business going on...thing that pops into my mind...is who boards dogs in this type of place....I know they often make the private part look 10 times better....but this would put me off no end...these type of pounds are definatly in it for the £££££ if u get my meaning

Wouldn't u think the council would go that little bit further and neuter the animals that go out, and stop the circle

 

[WoopsiiD]

I got my dog from a kennels and was charged £90 as she was a pedigree. I saw her on the first day she was in and had to wait 7 days for owner to show.
When I got her home she developed Kennel Cough so I took her back and she was treated free of charge, they even sent enough meds to treat my original dog at no cost.
Have to say Tessa (rip) was worth every penny of that £90!