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Out for a stroll

Rosedene Rescue Centre in Rushall, Walsall has rescued and re-homed thousands of stray dogs over the last 35 years.

In April 2008 the police authorities called time on their animal rescue service, meaning that dog catchers and the public would bring strays directly to rescue centres rather than police stations.

The result, says office manager Ann Carling, is that Rosedene is "busy, busy, busy!"

"We're absolutely over-run with Staffies at the moment," she says. "And Rotweilers. They've always been very popular dogs in the West Midlands but the trouble is people have over-bred them and are now just dumping them.

12 weeks old

"They are all lovely dogs, very friendly, and all under five years old. When they arrive we think that they'll be claimed very soon but they're not. It's a shame."

The post-Christmas period is traditionally a busy time for dogs' homes up and down the country. Rosedene has a capacity 60 of currently has many other breeds. Former worker Vivienne Brunger talks of a recurring pattern:

"Every year in November and December time we get older dogs being handed in. People it seems have had enough of them. Come January and February, it's puppies; unwanted Christmas gifts. We're absolutely full now and it's a strain to cope."

Rosedene is privately owned and therefore does not benefit from charity funding. Instead, the centre relies solely on donations and help from volunteers in the public.

Needs a home

"We welcome any and all help," says Ann. "Volunteer dog walkers, blankets, food and toys for the dogs are all vital. Anybody can help even if it's in a small way."

Rosedene accepts stray dogs from the Dudley and Sandwell boroughs and the majority are bought in courtesy of dog catchers.

"Some of the dogs arrive in a terrible state," says Vivienne. "The most common one really is malnourishment; dogs looking incredibly thin. We had one brought in who couldn't walk properly due to what were cigarette burns on his feet. Another with no teeth – he'd been hit in the face with a shovel. It's the worst part of the job – people's neglect.

"It's the excuses people make that really anger you too. I had a call from a woman saying she was bringing her dog to us because she was allergic to it. Yet she'd had the dog for ten years.

"Sometimes too people just don't want to find their stray. We had a dog bought in that was micro-chipped so we managed to trace the owner. We phoned him to say we'd found his dog and he said he'd come to pick it up. He didn't. After repeated calls back we were told that we'd got the wrong number and the dog stayed with us."

Walkies

All dogs brought in are examined by vets and given treatment if necessary. If no-one has come forward to claim them within two weeks they are available for re-housing.

Rosedene Animal Rescue Centre is located on Radley Road off Winterley Lane, Walsall and is open between 11am and 4pm Monday - Saturday and 11.30am and 3pm on Sunday. Call Rosedene on: 01922 627013

Click the link below to see some photo's of the current residents!