Happy Endings
St Francis Animal Welfare have a policy of never putting a healthy animal to sleep, no matter how long it stays with us, looking for a new home.
When an animal has been with us for some length of time, it is always great when they finally get the new home that they have been waiting for.
Occasionally, we receive updates from their new owners, and knowing that the animals are thriving in their new homes shows how rewarding our work can be.
Here are a few of our happy ending stories ...
Kye
Kye is a staffordshire bull terrier brought to us in June 2007 when he was just over a year old. He had been given up by a previous owner, who found him too boisterous to keep indoors and so locked Kye in his car every night! Another owner adopted him for just one day, before changing their mind!
Kye was indeed quite boisterous, but much of this was down to lack of discipline and training. He was really a friendly and affectionate boy, and we didn't give up hope on finding his perfect owner, despite him being with us for six months.
One day in January 2008, Steve came along to our shelter. His previous staffie had passed away a while back, and he was hoping to offer a loving home to another staffie. Our shelter had been recommended to him, and when he arrived the staff were busy with other visitors, so he waited his turn in our Reception Area, reading up on all the animals available for adoption. He happened to overhear a member of staff explaining to a visitor that the staffie available for adoption would not be suitable for them for various reasons ... Steve heard the words "boisterous" and "needs discipline and training" and thought "that's the dog for me!". Steve's family had always owned dogs, and his parents used to take him with them, when the family dog was taken to training classes. Steve picked up dog training skills from a young age, and had trained his previous "difficult" staffie into a great family pet.
Steve was taken down to the kennels to see Kye, and knew there and then that he wanted him! He was given time to spend with Kye in our Dog Exercise Area, and he also brought his two children, Jordan and Joey, along to meet him. After a successful home check, Steve was finally able to take Kye home.
We went along to see Kye about 3 weeks later, and it was obvious that he has found his "forever home". Kye treats the place as his own, and Steve absolutely adores him. "It can be hard work training him, as he is a typical staffie, and is sometimes stubborn" says Steve "but it is definitely worth it, for the rewards it brings. Kye is an absolutely fantastic dog; friendly and affectionate - he has already become a loyal friend."
These new photos show just how well Kye has fitted in with his new family, and we are absolutely delighted for him and them!
Whisky
Whisky is a 13 year old male cat, who was brought to us after his elderly owner could no longer look after him.
Whisky was a very well-behaved and laid back boy, but his age put off many potential adopters.
He was with us for many months, and we thought he may have to live out his days at the shelter. We placed him in our Resident Cat House, together with the older, more placid cats, although we continued to look for a new home for him.
Then one day, along came Helen. She wanted to adopt a cat, especially one that was older and being overlooked for adoption. When she met Whisky, she realised that this quiet, but affectionate boy was just what she wanted.
When the time came for Helen to collect Whisky, he seemed to know that he was being taken to a loving home. He was lounging on one of the armchairs in the Resi Cat House and an open cat carrier was placed in front of him. He immediately stood up, had a little stretch and then walked right into the cat carrier without any fuss at all !
Helen has very kindly sent us these photos of Whisky, doing what he does best! The above photo shows him and his new friends, all fast asleep on his owner's daughter's bed - and the one on the left shows him curled up in the laundry basket. Helen tells us "He is a joy to have around. We love him to bits! "
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We will update this page with more Happy Ending stories soon.
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