Rescue & Re-homing

Faith

Faith

“In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog.”

Unfortunately cavaliers can sometimes get lost. Sometimes they are found straying and if they have no microchip or identity tag their owners cannot be traced. This website helps reunite dogs and their owners: www.doglost.co.uk

Rescue Cavalier

Elsie, Eleven Year Old Rescue Cavalier

Sometimes Cavaliers need a new home because they are no longer wanted or their owners are no longer able to keep them. Adopting an adult cavalier, especially one that has been a breeding dog in a puppy farm, can be incredibly rewarding but new owners need to be aware their new pet can sometimes come with health and behaviour problems that may demand a great deal of understanding and patience.

The Companion Cavalier Club does not run a rescue or rehoming service but those wanting to adopt an older cavalier or seeking help with finding a new home for their pet  will find links to the regional cavalier rescue & welfare services here.

 

“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of ther universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.”
– Roger Caras

Two Stories About Rescue Dogs

Dottie

Dottie

[highslide](Dottys Story;Read Dottys Story;930;600)

Dotty is an ex “puppy farmed” Cavalier. She lived in harsh and squalid conditions and was due to be destroyed.    Mercifully she was saved by a rescue organisation.

She had never lived in a home, walked on a lead, been in a car, met people, seen a vacuum cleaner or TV, heard a door bell, seen a plane, heard fireworks. All these normal, day to day experiences meant she was more terrified than you could ever imagine.

Every day brought its own new challenge. Sudden movements and sounds frightening to her often leading to a flight for cover shaking with fear.

Doorways was a big problem, taking almost a year to overcome; even now she has moments where she pulls back and we have to back away from the doorway for her to feel safe entering.

Often one step forward and two steps back, the small victories made it all worthwhile. The first moment she made eye contact, the first time she sought affection, the first time she learned that the car took her to fun places, it’s hard to believe that Dotty was once a petrified little soul.

She has made so much progress since that first night in our, her, home. Now we have loads of cuddles and tummy tickles; she dances with excitement and expectation at meal times, bouncing like a puppy.

She has developed into a loving, playful, sweet little dog and a gorgeous pet.  It has taken two years to get to this point. She is totally besotted with my husband Graham and follows him everywhere. The expression on her face when she looks into his eyes is more heart warming than you can ever imagine.

Adopting a puppy farmed dog has been a huge commitment, and not one that everyone can, or should, undertake. It takes patience, perseverance, dedication, training, a gentle hand and voice, and time.  Having two cavaliers at home already has been vital to Dotty’s progress and without Molly and Dougall it would have been slower and more difficult, she has copied a lot from them. Dotty’s Diaries can be seen on www.cavaliermatters.org

Tania Ledger[/highslide]

Murphy

Murphy

[highslide](Murphys Story;Read Murphys Story;930;600)

Two years ago, My mum and I decided it was the time to adopt a dog.

We had always loved the look of Cavaliers, and decided the breed was for us. We searched rescue places all over and eventually found a beautiful black and tan boy – who was saved from a puppy farm in Ireland and brought over to the UK, the rescue aged him at about 5, as he had to have all his teeth taken out due to them being rotten, the vets could not tell his age.

His fur was extremely matted, he hid his tail and he was so, so sad.. the only dog who did not jump up and bark at the rescue centre. We were told he had a grade 3 murmur but still decided yes. It wasn’t till after we bought Murphy home I researched and found out about the breed and all the genetic health problems, Murphy is around 7 now and has a grade 5 murmur and is under a trial and receives cardiologist care every 4 months, and also has severe dry eye which requires ointment every 2-3 hours to keep moist.

As Murphy came from a puppy farm he has not been socialised – he doesn’t play with toys, he is scared of them. He also has no training as he is older and doesn’t understand – but I wouldn’t change this as he is good as gold.

Murphy is really good now, he’s housetrained and gives us much enjoyment – he is in a good place now, his “retirement” home as I call it. If I could, I would do it all again, it is so rewarding to see the progress he has made over 2 years.

Lucinda Tracey

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Rescue Centres

There are many rescue centres that take in all breeds of dogs. They often have cavaliers that need re-homing.  

Most of the regional Cavalier clubs have their own rescue services. You can find a list of local contacts here

 

“No matter how little money and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich.”
– Louis Sabin

 

Puppy Love CampaignsGood breeders will help and advise when Cavaliers they have produced need a new home, but many Cavaliers unfortunately come from puppy farms where the breeding dogs live miserable lives in cramped and squalid surroundings: Visit Puppy Love Campaigns

A Presentation About Puppy Farming: