You’ve probably heard the expression “adopt, don’t shop”. Before getting my first Staffords I was looking (with great difficulty) for a rescue Staffy but I discovered that due to our household homing foster kids, taking on a rescue was not allowed. This was during lockdown and the kids were really suffering from isolation in the countryside so they were a big part of my reason for getting puppies. It was the best decision I ever made, as one of the kids now claims that having the puppies during that difficult time saved her life.

There is a need for responsible breeders to keep breeds alive (and as mentioned not everyone can adopt anyway) but there is also a very serious need for shelters and for people to take on rescue dogs.

I tell all my buyers to notify me immediately if they’re no longer able to care for their pup. No pups of mine will ever end up in a shelter. If you read the “Our Girls” page you‘ll see that Hazel was in fact returned to us (due to changes in circumstances in her home.) Chico and Theia were in similar situations, so I count the three of them as my “semi-rescues”.

After a few years of donating to Hope for Paws and a few other UK charities, I’ve now decided to combine all my donations into the Assisi Animal Sanctuary and charity shops (where I occasionally also donate my time). I still believe in Hope for Paws but the UK’s “Gift Aid” option means I can donate more to UK charities as the government adds 25% on top of my donations.