Dog Blog A Day for National Pet Month – K9Focus
Question of the day (QotD) – How do you support animal charities?
Charities have been hard hit by the past year of events. I wanted to use my Dog Blog A Day to bring to you some of the lesser-known charities, ones that don’t have the huge budget to run campaigns. I brought you Just Whippets Rescue last week (click here) and this week it is the fantastic work of K9Focus, a dog rescue charity based in Torrington, Devon.
Trustee Lynne took some valuable time out of her day to fill out my questions.
How does your charity help dogs and their people?
K9focus takes in around 100 dogs a year in normal times. These are often surrendered from people who can't cope, or their situation has changed. We also take in stray dogs from the Local Authority. Responsible ownership is a key area the charity promotes and to this end we work within the community holding educational workshops and providing work experience for youngster looking to work in animal welfare.
What are your goals and ambitions for your charity over the next year and how can we help?
As always, our main aim is to be there for as many dogs who need our help as we possibly can. We are only limited by the amount of funds we have and therefore help with fundraising is the main way that help is needed.
What was your biggest triumph from the last year?
Surviving without any income stream. Vet bills and overheads do not cease and yet all our income streams did. We are proud that our prudent financial sense together with the amazing support of organisations and individuals have allowed the charity to remain open.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Watching a dog turn from a scared or poorly animal into a confident loving dog ready to adopt a human.
What is the funniest thing that has happened in your job?
Finding our longest stay (Freddie the lab) in the cab of some fencing contractors’ truck happily munching on their lunch!
What are your favourite things about your community of clients, customers and supports?
Their commitment to helping.
If this wasn’t your job what would you do instead?
I am retired so I do this all voluntarily although many people believe I am employed.
If you were to start a business again, what advice would you give yourself in general?
Make sure it is run like a business i.e., with a good business plan and budget rather than run by the heart which many rescues are.
If you could be any dog, what breed would you be and how does that align with your personality?
German Shepherd Dog - brave, handsome, intelligent and sensitive
What is the earliest dog related memory that you can recall?
My mum's Staffy sitting by my buggies protecting me - think I was about 4!
Name three things you couldn’t live without?
Dog, dog, dog.
Nessa a GSD - living happily with her adopted humans
Otis one of their rehomed lurchers
K9Focus are looking for support, fundraisers, volunteers, any help no matter how small is huge to them.
Question of the day (QotD) – How do you support animal charities? Answer here
If you missed last week’s charity, click here to read about Just Whippets Rescue
See you tomorrow,
Bye for now.
Fiona x
