Campaigns

Where Freshfields Stands

Freshfields Animal Rescue is predominantly a rescue and re-homing charity. That has always been and will always remain ... our charitable purpose!

There is however, much that happens in our world that we as aware human beings, have the potential to take control of and change, if only we make the collective effort to spread the word and prick the concience of humanity just that little bit harder. For Freshfields, at the simplest level, making the effort to educate furthers the charitable aims of the organisation and is therefore our duty. On a much grander scale, spreading awareness of the wrongs that happen, every single day and often right under the noses of our caring supporters, might just help to create a future where an end to many of these cruel practices is a genuinly possible!

No change can be brought about without first highlighting the issues!

As has already been stated, Freshfields is a rescue and rehoming centre and we are here now, today and every day, supporting the many animal victims of society. For every animal we rescue there is always another waiting, desperate for our resources to stretch sufficiently that we might help them too. Through awareness and action we hope that at some point in the future the numbers will be fewer, for now though ... we continue to depend upon your help.

Future change doesn't support todays' victims so please, familiarise yourselves with the issues, spread the word and ... keep the donations coming to Freshfields, every one of our animals is depending on you!

Thank You!

Canine Welfare and the Case Against Breeds!

Freshfields, like many rescues throughout the country is constantly inundated with dogs needing re-homing. We do are best to help as many as we possibly can but finding the space for every dog that comes our way is an impossible struggle. 90% of the dogs we take in are simply unwanted. It is usually the case that the owners have not thought through the commitment required or the responsibility that comes with owning a dog or that they can no longer afford to care for it. We are well aware that those we and other local rescues cannot help will probably end up being put to sleep. Every year the RSPCA destroys over 30,000 dogs in the UK, over 2000 of those are from Merseyside, one of the worst areas in the country. 

Two simple actions could make a positive contribution toward alleviating this situation:

1) Always neuter your dog to prevent any unwanted puppies.

2) Never buy a pedigree from a breeder/puppy farm.

The Dogs Trust totally condemns puppy farming, the practice where dogs are bred purely for profit, often with no license and with no concern for the health or welfare of the dogs. They state 'Our overriding priority is the welfare of the dogs, both puppies and their mothers. The best advice that we can offer the public is to never buy puppies through advertisements in local papers and on the internet or from pet shops. Once the demand dries up, the puppy farms cannot provide the supply.'

Breeders often interbreed, which can include mother-to-son, father-to-daughter and brother-to-sister mixing/mating. This leads to serious genetic problems and diseases but of course, the breeder has no interest in this.

Whilst there may well be genuine, responsible breeders out there that put the welfare of their animals first, the fact remains that so many of them are only interested in profit that we strongly recommend that the public never buy from them. Whilst virtually every rescue in the country is overwhelmed with/by unwanted dogs that need and deserve loving homes, it is ridiculous that more pedigree breeds are being 'produced' purely for profit. Add to this scenario 'the hobby breeder' or those who having purchased a pedigree dog are struck by the 'quick cash' that can be made from mating their own dog with that of an aquaintance or friends and the mind truly boggles at their ignorance!

Pedigree dogs are very often given up because they prove too costly for their owners. Unlike cross-breed dogs, that always tend to live longer, healthier lives, they are often plagued with problems from an early age. This is due to the way they have been 'designed' and bred. The following are just a few examples of health problems suffered by some breeds.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Can be in agony with a common condition know as Syringomyelia. This occurs as a result of the skull being too small for the brain. Three quarters of the breed have this problem and they also commonly suffer from heart disease.

Bulldogs

Bulldogs are now bred very intensely and the aim is for them to have as big a head as possible. This means that the majority of pregnant bitches cannot give birth naturally. Countless puppies die because a caesarian section is not given.

Boxers

Boxers often suffer from heart disease and have a high rate of cancer. White Boxers are often killed at birth as they are seen as 'undesirable'.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks

Famous for the distinct ridge of up-right hair along their backs, pups born without this feature are often killed.

Pekingese

This breed tends to overheat very quickly. This is due to the fact they cannot breathe properly as they are bred to have as flat a face as possible. Along with breathing problems they also suffer many eye problems.

German Shepherds

German Shepherds and many other large breeds commonly suffer from painful hip and elbow dysplasia. This eventually leads to crippling lameness and painful arthritis. Epilepsy is also an illness quite often seen in GSD's, as is CDRM - a disease like multiple sclerosis in humans. This is a progressive paralysis of the hind legs for which there is no cure. GSD's also suffer from a reoccurring condition called anal furunculosis. It is thought that this anal infection is due to the fact that their large, bushy tail curves down over the anus, preventing ventilation.

German Shepherds along with many other deep chested dogs (Akita's, Great Danes, St. Bernard's, Irish Wolfhounds, Dobermans, Weimaraners and Bloodhounds) can all suffer from bloat or gastric torsion. This is a potentially life threatening condition which must be treated as an emergency.

Rottweiler's

Generally have a short life span and an alarming number of Rottweiler's are crippled by bone and joint disease and/or succumb to cancer or heart disease before they are 6 years old.

Shar-pei's

Often suffer from entropion. This is where the eyelid rolls in towards the eye, rubbing against the cornea and causing a great amount of irritation and pain. Watery eyes, infection and even corneal ulcers can occur. Ear infections are also very common due to the fact that the ear flaps lay very flat to the head.

Shih Tzu's

Most common problems include brachiocephalic syndrome (respiratory problems), eye and eyelid disorders such as cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, KLS (dry eye), entropion, ectropion, and eye lacerations; orthopedic problems such as patellar luxation and intervertebral disc disease; kidney problems; von willebrands disease and ear infections.

Pugs

The dogs often suffer from encephalitis. This is inflammation of the brain that typically occurs when they are between 2 and 3 years old. This disease will eventually kill the dog. Due to the shape of a Pugs face they suffer from elongated soft palates. This can mean they wheeze and choke on their food and surgery is needed to correct it. They also suffer from hemi vertebrae, where two pieces of the vertebrae do not fuse together. This puts pressure on the spine and then paralyses the dog.

Jack Russell Terriers

Their most common problem is a patellar luxation. This means that the knee cap (the patella) often pops out of place. They may also suffer from skin conditions.

Whilst few of us can deny the draw of the 'breed', whether our tastes lean towards cute, macho or clownish dogs such as Boxers, surely none of us can believe that the pain and suffering brought about as a result of the 'breeding' itself is justified in the fulfilment of our wants or indeed the cash that lines our pockets!