This year has been a bad year for everybody. I don’t know what is going to happen. The world has gone mad! I have never had so many phone calls, messages, texts and e mails from people looking for a Lhasa Apso. Perhaps it is the fact that people are stuck at home and need something to occupy their time. They think a dog might help.
There are just no dogs available. There have been no dogs for rehoming whatsoever and all rescues are very quiet. The price of puppies has risen by at least a thousand pounds, some people charging as much as £2500; totally ridiculous. I have even seen 4 year olds un-neutered for sale for £1200.
The sad thing is. People are paying these prices, and whilst this is happening the prices will not come down. It will encourage back yard breeding because people will see it as an easy way of making money. Dogs are getting stolen all over, this also because of the high prices. All to do with money and how much they can get.
In time, I think there will be quite a few dogs up for re-homing. The trouble is, these dogs will never have been left so will have separation anxiety. Look on the selling sites at the amount of adverts offering dogs for stud, it is all getting out of control.
As Christmas is growing nearer there will be more puppies advertised and more dogs stolen.
On a happier note, anybody remember my story last year of little Ruby? She is still very poorly but her foster mum loves her to bits and won’t give up on her easily. She is still enjoying life but at her own pace now. She probably doesn’t have a lot of time left, but is still happy and making up for all the years where she was used as a puppy machine.
We lost another of the 32 this year. Poor Freddie. He had a wonderful 3 years and was very much loved.
Please everyone, keep a close eye on your little furbabies. Too many are going missing.Lets hope 2021 is a better year for everybody, that the country gets back to normality and the prices for dogs and puppies come down.
Have as nice a Christmas as you all can.
Hilary, Rescue Coordinator