About UsBULLMASTIFF WELFARE began in 1986 when Chris Ryder, the then secretary of the Bullmastiff Association, was asked to rehome a bitch living locally which was unwanted by her owners. At the same time a couple from London enquired about taking a rescued animal and took her. Chris worked with the Association for several years before deciding Welfare would do better on its own, and since then has worked with the help of people who are interested in the breed. The Northern Bullmastiff Club has supported her- both with help and donations – for a good number of years.
Chris Ryder has had Bullmastiffs since 1961, her first two being from the Goodstock kennels in Stockport. After them came bitches from Salvateo , Marmoss, and Dentonia, followed by animals who were assigned to Welfare and looking for homes. In 1977 she bred a litter from Salvateo Kristina, but then decided that breeding was not a good idea. Too many well bred pups end up homeless or rejected. |
WHERE DO “WELFARE “ ANIMALS COME FROM?The majority are from homes who have taken a puppy for whatever reason and then decided it’s no longer feasible to keep it .Sometimes it’s too big, too bouncy, needs too much exercise, too much food, --- is just too much Other reasons are easier to understand. There is a great movement at the moment for landlords to refuse to take a person with a dog, and this often means someone has to rehome a well loved pet in order to secure a property. Family splits account for a good number of dogs looking for new homes, as also does the death of the owner , the owner leaving the country or acquiring a new partner who doesn’t want the dog. Sometimes the dog itself has trespassed and the owner no longer wishes to keep it. Prospective owners are given whatever information we have about an animal before they are asked to consider taking it, although it must be added that sometimes current owners are not truthful in explaining their desire to rehome their pet. |
HOW DOES WELFARE WORK?The current owner approaches Welfare with a request to rehome the dog. In most normal circumstances the animal will then stay in its home until a new owner is found. If the dog is homeless, or if the owner has died, or there is some compelling reason why it can’t stay in its home the animal will be kennelled. For this purpose a commercial kennels is used, which then has to be paid for at the going rate. If this is a sudden intake or likely to be a long term stay the current owner may be asked to contribute to the kennel fees. |
IF YOU WANT A DOG WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?First of all please fill in the form attached to the web site and send it by email to Chris Ryder. After this the process is simple. Firstly a home check will be arranged. A responsible adult who knows about Bullmastiffs will visit you, your family and your premises to determine if you are suitable to have an animal from Welfare. They will ensure that your garden/yard area is properly fenced, that you have space in which to keep the dog and that you have permission from your landlord to keep a pet. They will talk to you about feeding, management, exercise and any other relevant details connected with owning a Bullmastiff. If they are satisfied they will recommend placement. |
ARE THERE ANY RULES?
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